Theatre of defiance

Press, 15 July 1982, Page 12

Theatre of defiance

“What Did Vou Do In The War, Mummy?” Broadsheet revue, at the Aged People’s Welfare Centre hall. Reviewed by Jacqueline Steincamp.

Five, fine women, appropriately dressed in black, presented a woman's view of women's lives in any country under any oppressive male supremacist system, in the Broadsheet touring revue. Written by Renee Taylor, the all-too-brief “What Did You Do In The War, Mummy?" was witty, fastmoving and well-integrated. Dance, song and the spoken word provided a pungent pot-pourri, suitable almost in its entirety for mixed audiences. It had Tuesday evening's packed audience — an all-woman audience —

stamping, cheering and even weeping. Taking a defiant look at the way the system works — for women — with numbers like “You Need Common Sense" and "Sheilas Should Always Stay Home," the show dealt with topics, like wife bashing, rape, solo mothers, women's mental and physical inferiority, incest, love lost and Maori land rights. Christchurch's Bernadette Doolan, trim, talented, and anything but potato-faced,

brought the house down with her satirisations of a leading politician . . . “so if you’ll all just follow my lead, I’ll tell you what to do, Because I know what’s best for the country, And I know what's best for you."' Bernadette greeted two of her former headmistresses in the audience — women who were applauding as loudly as their neighbours.

Punk should never be the same after Hilary King's brilliant "What I Are — or The Compost Song" (said to be the school song for the kids at Te Aro). Margaret Blay's poetic tribute to old women — “growing simple like something in nature” — demonstrated the scope of the performers.

The theme of love was prominent. The concert section included an exquisitely resigned rendition of “Plaisir d'Amour" by Margaret Blay, Judi Wishart and Doolan: Jess Oakenstar's wry “Love Song For Me.” and Blay’s incisive commendation of the social and psychological benefits of masturbation.

That the group was able to overcome the inadequate stage setting and lighting, said a great deal for the calibre of the performers, and the relevance of their message.