Review: SOME WOMAN at Dorfman, National Theatre

Having arrived home, we join her in the kitchen where, still feeling incensed and shell-shocked by the incident, she is determined the boy’s school hears about the matter and reprimands him. As various family members continue with the attic clearance, we learn the house is being put on the market. Some of those gathered, counsel a softly-softly approach to the boy’s behaviour while others urge more vehement action.

Helen Edmundson’s play throws a spotlight on the inequalities of the female lived experience, the disparity in societal respect for women and in particular, the multi-layered historical and practical issues which accompany the flawed notion that women can have it all — the career, the well-behaved children, the loyal husband, the nice house, the dream. In reality, the practicalities of pregnancy, motherhood, and (often) the selfishness of men, means that in most cases, something’s gotta give and compromises have to be made. The question is, why does it invariably fall on women to bear the brunt of those sacrifices?

Following the incident, what could have been a simple matter of a reprimand and apology, takes a much darker twist following counter claims and accusations made by the boy’s parents. Julie’s life and those of her daughters begin to unravel as CCTV footage of the incident fuels ambiguity and Julie’s pregnant and hard pressed lawyer is soon recommending that her client enters a guilty plea.

The play is at pains to emphasise that motherhood is a wonderfully meaningful experience but it doesn’t shy away from the fact that it is also damned hard work, which is rarely fully appreciated. At one point Julie throws her hands in the air and exclaims “Where’s the joy?” At another she expresses disappointment that for a woman, the reality of having it all is “… a big bloody con.”

Supporting the central character are her ex husband Richard (Geoffrey Streatfeild), daughters Ginny (Grace Doherty) and Kate (Hannah Onslow), Kate’s boyfriend Nathan (Tobi King-Bakare), Headmaster Mr Dunster (Daniel Millar), Celia (Ioanna Kimbook), DS Woods (Tom McCall) and the boy’s father Mr Blake (Stephen Wight) whose impromptu visit ostensibly to build bridges with Julie, is filled with a more menacing intent and is redolent of the darker attitudes and disturbing beliefs circulating on the internet in our age of toxic misogynists like Andrew Tate.

One of the biggest stars of the evening is Rob Jones’ beautiful set design with its meticulously timed and choreographed transitions which add atmosphere and contrast to proceedings in Director Blanche McIntyre’s splendid production.

Duff delivers a woman who is initially overwhelmed and indignant but who finally refuses to kowtow to the system and its flaws. When she declares she will insist on owning the space she is due, you feel the collective stifling of a cheer amidst audience members. Tellingly, the play ends on a note of personal resolution, but refuses to deliver either an upbeat or downbeat conclusion to the trial. We are simply left to ponder the potential ramifications of her decision.

SOME WOMAN plays 1 hour 45 mins straight through without interval and continues at the National Dorfman until 21st November.

Some Woman Tickets