Locked up: Claudia, played by Brigid Dullard (front left), Lottie (Lauren Douglas) and Mrs Unwin (Suzanne Spencer) discuss Gertie's (Alisha Beavis, behind bars) courtroom defence. Photo by Tamara Cadd.
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Review
Echuca-Moama Theatre Company’s production of Disorderly & Defiant is a triumph.
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In a first for EMTC, this full-length play, written and directed by one of its own, Francie Finn, bursts onto the stage with raw energy, humour, and poignant social commentary.
Finn, inspired by a fiery courtroom exchange in an 1890s Riverine Herald report, has masterfully woven together history and drama to create a play that not only entertains but also forces you to reflect on how far — or how little — society has come in 130 years.
Alisha Beavis shines in the lead role as Gertie, the spirited and sharp-tongued heroine.
She effortlessly shifts from moments of tender grief as she recalls her lost child to fierce defiance as she hurls insults at the men who mistreat her.
The scene where Gertie is harassed by local businessmen is uncomfortable but riveting — a reminder that some struggles women faced in the past still resonate today.
Wendy Bennett is delightful as boisterous and pint-loving Irish immigrant Mrs Maloney, delivering laugh-out-loud moments.
Just as entertaining are Lauren Douglas and Brigid Dullard as Lottie and Claudia, two plucky prostitutes, whose banter about their popularity with the local lads down at Murray Esplanade is sure to have the audience in stitches.
Suzanne Spencer brings warmth and depth to Mrs Unwin, the Sergeant’s suffragette wife, who secretly guides Gertie on her path to empowerment.
Her stirring courtroom speech will have you cheering for women’s equality.
Knock knock. Who's there: Local prostitutes (from left) Lottie (played by Lauren Douglas) and Claudia (Brigid Dullard) mistake Gertie (Alisha Beavis) for a customer. Photo: Tamara Cadd
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The men, meanwhile, hold all the power — creating the laws, enforcing them, judging them, and reporting them — while the women suffer the consequences.
The rigid Sergeant Unwin (Darcy Elliott) locks Gertie up for being “drunk and disorderly”, the no-nonsense Magistrate (Pete Gibson) presides over the courtroom, and Riverine Herald journalist (Ben Harris) records Gertie’s defiant stand for posterity.
And let’s not forget Gertie’s downtrodden husband Eddie (Dan Spencer) who manipulates the justice system.
With biting one-liners, impressive acting, and a powerful message, Disorderly & Defiant is a must-see.
Take a bow Francie Finn and the entire EMTC team! I laughed, I cried, and I left outraged — in the best possible way.
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