From the moment she enters stage, Jennie demands your attention.
Presented by Gasworks Arts Park and Melbourne Writers’ Theatre, Jennie! captures a striking piece of local history by sharing stories from the life of Jennie Baines.
Originating in Manchester, Jennie moved to Melbourne in 1913, and brought along her passion for change, and occasional disruption, from her Manchester life. A feminist, communist, activist, protester, hunger-striker, and of course who could forget theatre-fire-setter, she was imprisoned over a dozen times but never stopped “fighting the good fight”.
Jennie! delightfully shows the spirit one can imagine the real life Jennie Baines had. Marli Van Der Bijl breathes absolute life and zest into this titular character, and you find yourself joining her journey emotionally through all its ups and downs. Van Der Bijl gets you on Jennie’s side, you are ready to answer the call to arms. Van Der Bijl shines in the quiet moments, connecting to the audience directly with pleading expressions, or quietly singing, yet filling the space with emotional weight.
Alongside Jennie, are her husband George (Amir Rahimzadeh), friend Dorothy (Lucy Norton) and Dorothy’s husband Tom (Tristan Sicari). The relationships between all these characters feel real and grounded, friends that may not always agree on the best course of action, political views etc. but stick by each other through it all. Rahimzadeh and Van Der Bijl have a warm chemistry and make the stage space feel like a welcoming home. Norton and Sicari bring elevated performances and easily switch between sadness and movements of comedy and joy.
Jennie’s mission to look out for those less fortunate, especially the children, is told through homeless teens Marianne and Fred, played by newcomers Ivy Glenfield and Joshua Johnston. Glenfield is one to watch, at a young age is able deeply connect to her character Marianne and deliver an extra layer of emotional depth. Johnston is quick to switch into the many other roles he has on top of Fred, quite a task to wear so many different hats (sometimes literally!).
Jennie! is performed in the intimate theatre at Gasworks Arts Park, once the functioning gasworks that would have been actively supplying gas in Jennie’s time, which adds to grounded and real feeling of the play. The set is simple, effective and brilliant. The wooden backpiece making each location feel warm and alive, and clever use of switching doorways, windows and shelving. Audiences are easily able to follow where each scene is set, without there being clunky large set changes. Prop movements were choreographed and executed smoothly.
In the theatre scene in Australia, so often we see stories from other countries’ histories, and while they can be fascinating and engaging, there is something so refreshing about theatre based around a local historical figure.
Although set around a century ago, you can’t help but notice the relevant parts of Jennie’s story in today’s modern age. So often we see those less fortunate, undergoing traumatic circumstances, and who life simply treats unfairly. In Jennie!, her adoring crowd answer “Who will do it?” with “Jennie will do it!”, and you can’t help but think of those in current society who might answer this call. Who will stand up for those who need it? Who will be a Jennie?
Jennie reflects on her surrounding citizens as a “society that’s lost its compassion”, and while Melbourne looks very different today than in Jennie’s time, this story demands you to reflect on where you can see potential for more compassion to your fellow humans. She wasn’t popular with everyone, even the birds gave warning of her arrival! But that wasn’t what was important to her, it was looking out for and standing up for others.
“None of us are here to be liked, we are here to make a difference.”
Jennie! is a touching story, impressively told by this excelling team. I would encourage all to catch one of the final shows of Jennie! this weekend before you miss out!
Melbourne Writers’ Theatre’s, Jennie! Is now playing in Melbourne at Gasworks Arts Park until Aug 17th with a run time of 75 minutes.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://gasworks.org.au/whats-on/jennie
https://melbournewriterstheatre.org.au
Photography by Melbourne Writers’ Theatre.
