‘Well-Behaved Women’: Carmel Dean on her historical inspirations

Carmel Dean has returned home to Australia after living in New York for 20 years to present her song cycle Well-Behaved Women at the Belvoir Theatre.

She tells City Hub: “This show is … how I found my own voice as a composer-lyricist, and it is, I believe, a much-needed celebration of many women of history who fought to have their own voices heard… I’m also so excited to finally be able to head back into a theatre, to pay tribute to these incredible women of history, and to showcase these powerhouse Australian performers too!”

The women who inspired Carmel include Eve, Cleopatra, Billie Jean King, Julia Gillard, Virginia Woolf, Malala Yousafzai, and others.

Carmel said she “wanted to select women who not only made their mark on history, but who had a very specific moment in their stories that would translate into an interesting song moment. For example, Malala Yousafzai sings to her father in the moment after she has been shot; Billie Jean King sings to Bobby Riggs as they face off in the Battle of the Sexes tennis match; Mary Magdalene sings about being ‘the only girl at the table’ at the Last Supper. It was vital to me to be as specific as possible with their different stories and perspectives – and also to find humour when I could – so that not every song just become a ‘rah rah feminist’ song.”

Carmel’s show has been described as “a musical feast celebrating the women who refused to behave.” I asked her what kinds of behaviour she was referring to here; surely not shocking people by sitting astride a horse.

“The common thread through the songs is that women have been oppressed throughout history in a variety of ways, and therefore need to find their voices in order to be heard or to change things. These songs are all examples of women standing up to the person or situation that oppressed them.”

The show is performed by Stefanie Caccamo (Into the Woods), Ursula Yovich (Barbara and the Campdogs), and Zahra Newman and Elenoa Rokobaro (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill).

“These performers are… four of the greatest Australian talent performing today,” Carmel says. “[They] are great storytellers through song, have unique perspectives and on top of that are powerhouse vocalists – so these songs are a real showcase for their skill and talent.”

I asked Carmel whether she noticed a difference between American and Australian audiences, that is, between the show that was staged in January 2020 at Joe’s Pub in New York City, then later at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney.

“Honestly, no! The show resonates with people all over the world. And it seems that different people relate to different characters no matter their background or prior knowledge of them e.g. some Americans have told me that the Cathy Freeman song is their favourite!”

Is Carmel a feminist?

“Absolutely! I believe in equal rights for women (and all!) It’s a no brainer. The world we live in was created for, and by, men. Women must work twice as hard as men for almost anything. It’s changing, but slowly, and I hope that my show Well-Behaved Women provides inspiration for all who see it to keep fighting for equality!”

Well-Behaved Women
Until November 3
Belvoir Theatre
https://belvoir.com.au/productions/well-behaved-women/