Tiddas – REVIEW

Adapted as a stage play by Anita Heiss from her own “choc-lit” novel Tiddas, meaning “sisters”, the play focuses on a group of well-educated middle-class Indigenous sisters and one white woman in a book club group which has been going for at least 20 years.

The tiddas have a shared past in Mudgee but moved to Brisvegas where they are each dealing with different concerns. 

For example, Veronica (Anna McMahon) is getting divorced, Izzy (Lara Croydon) is soon to have her own TV show, and Xanthe (Jade Lomas-Ronan) and her husband are desperately trying to “get pregnant”. 

These women, together with Ellen (Perry Mooney), who’s questioning the direction her life is taking, and Nadine (Louise Brehmer), a successful novelist and the white sister-in-law of the other four, form “the Vixens”, a group formed from the first letter of their names.

The ”girls” are around 40 years of age and facing milestones in their lives which they discuss at their alcohol-fuelled book club meetings, along with somewhat superficial mentions of Indigenous authors and subjects. 

Along with references to the crises in their lives, subjects such as unplanned pregnancy, sex, infertility, fidelity, divorce, sibling rivalry and jealousy are covered so speedily in the dialogue and action that that they whizz by without landing. There were just too many themes that were not developed in any depth.

Sean Dow plays all the men and it’s just as well he was wearing a different costume for each role. Otherwise, what would one think!

The library setting was not utilised enough, and was mainly used for storing wine glasses. 

The furniture in front of the bookshelf was moved around between scenes. A jacaranda in bloom stood at the edge of the stage. 

The show was co-directed by Nadine McDonald-Dowd and Roxane McDonald, designed by Zoe Rouse, and lit by Jason Glenwright. (It might be worth noting here that anyone seated on the outer edges of the auditorium will be at a distinct disadvantage. When actors turn the other way to speak they can’t be heard.)

It is a pity that the character of Mum/Grandma (Roxanne McDonald) was not given more prominence as an “elder” of the group who could have imparted more words of wisdom to the younger women, some of whom were themselves “emerging elders”. She remained a silent presence in scenes where her participation would have added insight – and humour – to the discussion.

And what’s with Perry, the nation’s first Indigenous funeral celebrant, breaking the fourth wall and implying that the audience was involved in the outcome of the play. It was the only time this device was used and it didn’t  work to get us to sympathise with the cast. And what about her boasting of her lustful encounters with tradies?

It is not surprising that Nadine is an angry alcoholic given the amount of the beverage served at their book club meetings, which often turn into psychodramas with shocking revelations and heated exchanges.

She is a successful author and has had a recent book launch which the other women reluctantly attend. 

The group gangs up to cruelly diss Nadine, the only white member of the group. It is a great irony of the script that the group ignores Nadine’s recently launched book despite their supposed interested in literature. There is never the suggestion that they will make it the subject of one of their meetings. Was this racism, ghosting or just plain bullying?

In the end, apologies are made, friendships are restored, there are hugs all round and the show leaves you with a feel-good feeling.

The play should be a great hit, especially with younger audiences.

Until January 28

Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills

belvoir.com.au