‘Rude, funny’ look at awakening sexuality

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 22

‘Rude, funny’ look at awakening sexuality

"Very explicit, veiy rude, very funny.” That is the verdict of Geraldine Brophy and Yvonne Martin, two of the cast, on the Court Theatre’s production of “When I Was A Girl I Used To Scream And Shout.” The play, about dawning female sexuality, has a cast of four. "It is very funny and very touching,” Brophy said. “The laughter will be that of recognition because the audience will know the scenes from their own experiences.” Brophy plays Vari, the childhood friend of the main character, Fiona, and her misguided mentor in matters of sex. “We found it easy to ; play the women because they are identifiable types , and. people we know,” Martin .said. Her role is that of Morag, Fiona’s mother. The relationship between mother and daughter is central to the play. Fiona, at 32, has been treated to a week-end at the seaside on the east coat of Scotland by her mother. Through a series of flashbacks the audience sees Fiona’s sexual awakening and the events of the past that influence her relationship with her mother) The [role of Fiona is played by Caroline Claver and that of Evan, the public schoolboyj who was Fiona’s; first lover, by Stephen Lovatt. The flashbacks are all Fiona’s and are achieved on Tony Geddes’ set by the use of lighting. The two actresses were adamant that although it was a play about women’s experiences : it was not "anti-men.” '“lt is not anti-anything,” - said Brophy. “It is a very fair appraisal. The boy is allowed to put his view

too. It takes neither the side of the daughter nor the mother.” Martin said “It shows how selfish children can be. The daughter’s actions have changed the mother’s life as much as the mother has affected her life.” What comes through is the deep love of mother for daughter. Brophy said, “The flashbacks take Fiona back to childhood but the child you see uses the language of a woman. The scenes from childhood are present in Fiona’s mind and we see her as a child but the incidental language is not always that of a child.” The hole in the stage that is a swimming pool in the present doubles as a bath for the flashbacks'. Fiona and Vari as children play the bath games that children play and gain most of their knowledge of sex from things overheard and stories told them. Brophy said that the language was direct and rude, but the play was very honest and funny. “Women will enjoy watching it, but men will also. It is not a really messagey sort of play. It is sort of post-feminist. It is not saying that one woman is right and the others are wrong; each has some value.” The play, written by Sharman Macdonald, won a best new play award in 1986. With Julie Walters in the role of Fiona it ran for a year in the West End of London. Eric Hooper has. directed the Court’s production, which opened a three-week season last evening. The costumes were designed by Caroline Gunn. The play is being staged in the Court Two theatre.