REVIEW: Woman | Women, Shakespeare North Playhouse
This engaging, not-quite solo show explores lesbian relationships in theory - and in practice
Woman | Women is a finely-tuned piece of physical theatre from performer Rowena Gander, that explores what it means to live a life that does not follow traditional societal expectations.
There is a striking clarity and confidence to Gander’s work. Not a moment, nor a movement, is wasted in this focussed and purposeful piece.
The constraints and frameworks of lesbian identity which she ponders, through stream-of-consciousness voiceovers or verbatim recital of academic works, are also there literally throughout the show as its main piece of staging; a heavy, black three dimensional frame that is rotated as required as a box to break out of.
The spoken word element - a combination of warm humour, soul-searching confessional and an investigation into the theoretical higher meaning behind it all - reminded me of the work of Rosie Wilby. When Gander is joined by a second performer in a delightful reveal, Lily Antonia on this occasion, the duet is a beautiful piece of choreography that charts a relationship from its giddy beginnings to bitter end.
While Woman | Women is a deeply personal show about the performer’s sense of ‘otherness’ in society, including the lesbian community of which she is a part, its openness and honesty will still resonate with those outside of it. It is as romantic and hopeful as it is intelligent and considered. Even the things that could seem a little on the nose, like the confines of the set or visual gags with a power tool, actually work well to simplify Gander’s exploration of an infinitely complex thing - human desire for love and affection.
The closing moments of the show take a ubiquitous 90s love song as the soundtrack for a final choreography so utterly charming and meaningful, it is as if hearing it for the first time.
