By Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by Sarah Goodes
Showing at Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre 5/9/2024-19/20/2024.
A burgeoning all expressive theatrical performance celebrating and applauding past Australian PM Julia Gillard’s outstanding leadership for all women and particularly her clarity of communicating in défence of women, how they are portrayed in public spaces and how one voice with well chosen words can channel a more positive outcome for women everywhere. Essentially a one woman show by Justine Clark, this reiterated as a focal point the famous misogyny speech which was barrelled along and made more accessible to the everyday listener by way of punctuations of swearing and colloquialisms. The hair (a precise red bob wig), minimal mannerisms, warm intonations, explanatory didactic pronunciation, and exact wording shaped the performance into a exaltant undeterred defiant crisp reverencing of the cream of the crop of public speakers Julia. By the media and especially in politics (shouted down, belittled, criticised and obstructed from her goals in office) Julia Gillard had not been given the renown fair go that historically Australia was to provide. Julia’s quintessential background she brought with her as Labor leader of our nation from 2010 to 2013 and her excellent debating and statesman skills were used for good outcomes. What her political and ideological opponents did not appreciate was that Julia Gillard had already made and protected a special place in politics for women which we appreciate in an ever expanding and embellishing way. A network of women in history wielding power were highlighted, enabled and proclaimed. The struggle for an equal footing is ever ongoing. ‘Julia’ is a great play to see and savour.
