Is Australian politics boring? I remember one pundit saying this was the case before the last election.
I disagree. I think Australian politics is fascinating and the Queensland premiere of Joanna Murray-Smitgh’s play Julia is proof of that. It’s almost a one-woman tour de force. I say almost because while Justine Clark is front and centre as former PM Julia Gillard, she is ably assisted by Lotte Beckett, who supports and assists her on stage.
The play is a co-production between Sydney Theatre Company and Canberra Theatre Centre and it’s presented in Brisbane, in the Playhouse at QPAC, by Queensland Theatre, which is having a great year.
Chief executive Criena Gehrke and the team at QT would have been thrilled with opening night. It was a full house and everyone sat rapt for the full 90 minutes.
For me, this is what theatre is about – great acting, a strong script and a play that is about something. People don’t unnaturally break into song. I should say, though, that there is music in the soundscape and some of it refers to0 Julia Gillard’s Welsh heritage, which is highly appropriate.
And while we all know the play is leading up to her famous misogyny speech of October 9, 2012, which is delivered in full as the finale, there’s a lot more to it than that. It’s a fascinating biography of sorts and an exploration of the struggle of women in politics and society more broadly.
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Telling the human-interest story behind the extraordinary speech, and a revelatory portrait of the woman who made it happen, Julia explores gender, power and privilege in a captivating stage production.
Since the play’s 2023 premiere in Canberra, star of stage, screen and Playschool, Justine Clarke, has performed Julia’s titular role more than 200 times to more than 100,000 people across Australia. With expert direction from Sarah Goodes.
In Clarke’s words: “While the play centres on Julia Gillard’s time as PM, it’s also a wider reflection on leadership. Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith not only allows us to step in Julia’s shoes but she also tells a story that many of us resonate with, particularly women.”
Murray-Smith is masterful and creates works that are accessible and entertaining. Her play Switzerland, about author Patricia Highsmith (creator of the charming but murderous Tom Ripley) is one of the highlights of my theatre-going career.
Kevin Rudd gets a bit of a touch up as he would in a play from Gillard’s perspective
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Her resume is long and impressive and she nails it again with Julia, which is utterly riveting. And while it is about Julia Gillard it is a window into the world of politics and along the way we recall the wonder that was Paul Keating and the disgraceful behaviour of some in public life, including the bloke who was targeted by her misogyny speech, that other former PM, Tony Abbott.
Kevin Rudd gets a bit of a touch up as he would in a play from Gillard’s perspective. Personally, I liked having Rudd as PM because he was from Queensland. That’s being a tad parochial but, who knows, we might eventually have another Queenslander in the top job one day. Jim Chalmers? Just saying. No hurry, though, Jim.
So, while this is a personal story it’s also a window into the turbulent and sometimes tawdry world of Australian politics, which is anything but boring as this play demonstrates. And just to be clear, the producers offer this disclaimer:
“Julia is a fictional imagining by the playwright, of true events in the life of Julia Gillard. It combines references to true events, extracts from published works, interviews, fictitious commentary and opinions which the playwright and the producers believe to be honestly held. Ms Gillard has not endorsed, nor had any artistic input into the production of, the play.”
So there.
I was just saying to someone before entering the auditorium at the Playhouse that I tend to judge a play or any production by the number of times I look at my watch. I only looked at it once during Julia, which means, for me at least, that – if I allocated stars – it would get five out of five.
It is brilliant stuff and you really should see it. I hope there are some tickets left.
Julia continues at the Playhouse, QPAC, until August 30.