‘Herlot’ at the Free

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 6

‘Herlot’ at the Free

“Herlot,” by Annamarie Jagas and Kathleen Gallagher, directed by Alison Dalziel and Kathleen Gallagher for the Women's Action Theatre, at the Free Theatre, October 17 to 25. Running time: 8 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. Reviewed by Elody Rathgen. Pornography — often described as harmless fantasy, or defended by many as a right which should not be censored, or claimed by some as enjoyable for its victims as well as for its perpetrators — is the subject of “Herlot” The drama presented by the Women’s Action Theatre is very strong and very didactic. The direction by Alison Dalziel and Kathleen Gallagher is controlled and compelling. Accompanied by relentless percussion and Imaginative lighting, this Piece of theatre attempts to portray a strongly felt sense of the division between the world dominated by men’s nower and oppression and the world of Cornea Throughout history whether virgin, slut, dyke or whore women accused of having “asked for it” in this production Justice is seen to be stlentiy by, as if condoning the SktiuM of rape, molestation and vioargu-

ment is put and medical support is given, all of which seem to defend the system. The point is made in a number of dramatically successful ways, with props, movement, lighting and sound. "Herlot” depicts the dilemma in the lives of many women. On the one hand there is the routine domestic passive world of dusting, sweeping, mopping and polishing. On the other is the legend which supports, if not encourages, men’s right to indulge themselves with pornographic images. According to the play text the person most likely to be watching pornographic films is white, male, aged between 35 and 45, and married.

Each member of the small company — Fiona Roake, Katy Yiakmis, Sally Shaw, Anita Martens and Suzy Jackson — performs effectively and with commitment. Together they have produced an important piece of feminist theatre which fully deserves the support of women and all those involved in the fight against pornography. If at the end I was relieved it was a short performance it was not because it was faulty but because it made me feel in the words of the text “sick, sick at Heart”