The Defence
The Defence
writer/director
Playwright August Strindberg was many things. The Father of Naturalism, a lyrical genius, misogynistic, batshit cray… but a woman? He paradoxically fell in love with women of ambition and independence, keeping his feminine side under lock and key. Until now…
The Defence was first presented in 2013 at Sydney’s crucible of experimental performance, PACT, before follow-up seasons with Wollongong’s Merrigong Theatre Company, Melbourne’s MKA: Theatre of New Writing, and Perth’s Blue Room Theatre where it was nominated for the Fringe World Theatre award.
It begins with a gender-fcuked re-imagining of Strindberg’s ‘The Defence of a Fool’ before dissolving into the rehearsal room of a modern theatre production where the gender dynamics are no less charged. The Defence is an ambitious play-within-a-play with a thrust and parry to some of the personalities behind-the-scenes of contemporary Australian performance. Having said that, Strindberg’s appeal was never just contained to the theatre…
“A dazzling work… ‘The Defence’ strikes a blow on behalf of Strindberg, women, actors and genuinely provocative theatre.”
Humphrey Bower, Daily Review
“★★★★ Both pornographic and hilarious… ‘The Defence’ is an extremely well made, disciplined play with an impressive degree of cultural literacy and some important points to make about gender, power, and the theatre.”
David Zampatti, West Australian
“One of the most revealing and intense and perfect portraits of misogyny. EVER.”
Augusta Supple
