Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Going into Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? without any knowledge of the show, is not generally what most people do. However, if you want a captivating, hilarious, and suspenseful three and a bit hours at the theatre, The Red Stitch production with Kat Stewart (Underbelly, Offspring, Disgraced, Heisenberg) confidently leading the ensemble is definitely recommended. But be warned, Albee’s absurdist style might make you leave the theatre with more questions than answers.
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​Images by Eugene Hyland
This Tony Award-winning play, originally performed in 1962, is a black comedy set over three acts. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? tells the story, in real-time, of a drunken late-night party at Martha (Kat Stewart) and George’s (David Whiteley) house. Their guests, Nick (Harvey Zielinski) and Honey (Emily Goddard), are caught in the crossfire of Martha and George’s relationship battle as they play “games” with cracking, rapid, unpredictable dialogue that keeps the audience forever questioning and in suspense.
Helpmann Award winner director Sarah Goodes, whose prolific work includes Joanna Murry-Smith’s critically acclaimed new play Julia with STC and Virgina Gay’s recent Cyrano with MTC, is well equipped to take the real-life couple Stewart and Whiteley and send them into this domestic battle.
As one of Australia’s best-known actresses, Stewart is compelling in this role. She perfectly portrays Martha's feminine rage. It is hard to take your eyes off her whenever she is on stage, as you never know what is coming next. Stewart can switch from being light-hearted to screaming angry on a dime.
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​Images by Eugene Hyland
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The journey that Whiteley (The Wrong Girl, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Uncle Vanya) takes the audience on as George is phenomenal. Beginning to appear as a meek, compliant older man who bends to his wife's will, to an almost manic, dominating presence in the room that completely controls the story of Act Three.
The absolute highlight of the show is Goddard’s (Wittenoom, The Amateurs, Glory Dazed) performance as Honey. From the incredibly funny interpretive dance in Act 2 to jumping up and down on the couch excitedly screaming, “Violence!” over and over again. Whilst Goddard’s comedic acting is spectacular, watching her play out Honey’s drunken and deeply emotional journey through the play is not to be missed.
The entire play unfolds in George and Martha’s living room. As this is the only set, it's obvious that the production designer, Harriet Oxley, has put significant thought into every aspect of the set. The bar at the back of the set is used almost as an altar, as the actors are constantly moving around this aspect of the set, and alcohol is at the centre of the entire show.
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​Images by Eugene Hyland
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​The set is uniquely built up off the main Comedy Theatre stage. A ruffled curtain surrounds the entire set, creating a picturebox-like effect that the audience peers into. Additionally, the curtain colour changes as the mood of the scene changes, which is a beautiful addition to the show. Additionally, there was very little non-diegetic sound in the play, especially in the first act; therefore, when it was used, it was always nuanced and at the perfect time. There was no background sound, so the silence was like another character at some points. The cast uses silence perfectly to draw out suspense and, at points, the comedy of the situation.
This is the first time a Red Stitch production has transferred to a commercial theatre. However, after The Red Stitch 2023 production sold out prior to opening night, a partnership between Red Stitch Actors and producers GWB Entertainment and Andrew Henry Presents enabled the transfer. This allows many more people to see this brilliant and truly unforgettable production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for a strictly three-week season.
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​Images by Eugene Hyland
*Accessibility notes: Some of the dialogue from the dress circle was quite soft and fast. If you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, you could have trouble hearing important parts of the show. Additionally, the actors give no body language that matches what they are talking about. Therefore, I would recommend trying to sit closer to the stage, if possible, to try to make sure you can hear. As the guest I had with me who was hearing-impaired really struggled with this production from where we were sitting
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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is on at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne until 21st July
