Lipstick and hessian

‘Lipstick and Hessian’, a wonderful new play by Perth playwright and actor Jo Morris, is being presented at the Blue Room, 53 James Street in Northbridge each evening at 8.00 pm until 15^th December.

The stage lights up to the strains of Vera Lynn. It is the early ‘30s, just after the depression and life is hard in the damp, cold valleys of South Wales. The populace have few belongings, poor clothes and no jewellery, in fact a lady’s only luxury is her ‘bit of lippie’. Gongi (Michelle Robin Anderson) is a young mother struggling to bring up her half a dozen children, when an amazing new life, full of promise in sunny Australia is offered. The family sail off to their hessian covered humpie near Kalgoorlie. Disillusioned and with the green, green grass of home calling them back, will they return to a country now deep in war or fight it out in Australia?

We are taken through the generations, with the development of Gongi’s child, Elizabeth Jean (Emily Brennan) and then her granddaughter Amelia Violet (Natalie Holmwood). We share their joys and suffering. Experience teenage love and tragedy.

Every now and then we have the privilege of seeing a play which has been totally thought out in every aspect. Caitlin Ryan’s set is interesting, and along with the costumes, gives a genuine feel of the era. Stage manager, Lisa McCready’s superb lighting (this is an assumption as no credit is given) was sensitive and atmospheric.

Gongi had an admirable and consistent Killarney accent, however she was from Cardiff. Better having this solid Irish brogue than a bad Welsh one (very difficult to enact properly, so stick to what you do well).

Director Jo Morris has proved herself on many occasions as an excellent actor, but I believe that this is her first journey into writing and directing. She has produced a rich almost poetic script. The highly talented cast worked well with the unusual props as they produced authentic sounding effects for cars, boats and the desert.

This energy filled show oozes quality and was a joy to watch. Strongly recommended to the sentimental.