The press release to Rowena Gander’s Woman | Women boldly promises it to be a show that challenges traditional, normative ideas of lesbian relationships through a mixture of physical theatre and comedy. A show that will take a deep dive into the themes of pace, compatibility, attachment and internalized homophobia, showcasing how these issues resonate differently across individuals.
This is a labour of love for Ms Gander, the culmination of experience gained over many years of relationships which results in an honest and realistic portrayal of lesbian love. I am happy to report that it delivers on this bold statement, and then some.
The performance begins with a striking visual: a metal rectangle that serves as a versatile prop, both a confining structure and a symbol of the societal expectations that can shape relationships. Gander’s masterful use of physical theatre brings this metaphor to life, highlighting the tension between freedom and constraint.
The examination of lesbian relationships is given an extra dimension by the addition of Lily Antonia as a duet partner that adds depth and dynamism to the performance. Their on-stage chemistry is palpable, and their portrayal of the intricacies of a lesbian relationship is both honest and humorous. In less competent hands, the introduction of another physical presence might lead to a loss of the performance momentum and pacing, but she matches Gander’s crisp athleticism and nuanced poise at every turn.
Use of audio and lighting enhances the storytelling, and much credit should be given to Noel Jones and Phil Saunder’s respectively. The former provides a humourous internal monologue that Gander physically responds to, whilst stark lighting design complements the emotional range of the performance, shifting between moments of desolation and hope. I am specifically thinking of the scene where, in the aftermath of the failed romance, Gander drapes herself across of the top of the metal rectangle, her shadow casting what could be a Kafka-esque crushed beetle onto the stark studio wall, signifying an exhausted loss of humanity…It’s all great stuff.
Woman | Women is sixty minutes of exhilarating theatre, majestically achieving what any art form aspires to do – uncover and mangnify the truth of the human condition. The exploration of societal perceptions of lesbians, particularly the pressure to conform to certain stereotypes, is both thought-provoking and poignant. And the closing scene is a fitting and beautiful way to encapsulate the engaging themes explored, bolsted by humour, movement and striking visual set-pieces. Like a modern day alchemist, Rowena Gander has taken the themes of the lesbian experience and managed to evoke an even greater truth of the power of the human condition that touches us all. Woman | Women is a theatrical triumph.
Steve Kinrade
