Women at Play(s) returned with a sixth instalment of works all written, directed, and performed by women. Featuring six short form plays covering a range of subjects and genres, Women at Play(s)6 was an impressive showcase of talent. Tackling the realities of being a woman in today’s society head on, Women at Play(s)6 was a perfect balance of comedy and honesty, making each show unique and exciting.

The six short plays which comprise Women at Play(s)6 are Her Crown (written by Alexis Hope and directed by Heather Cherron), Christmas Day at the Roadside Diner (written by Annie Massey and directed by Susan A. Lock), The Trial of Rosie McDougall (written by Marni Walsh and directed by Lee Bolton), U Can’t Touch This (written by Paddy Gillard-Bentley and directed by Altaire Gural), Filters (written by Lanette Ware-Bushfield and directed by Kristina Agosti), and Mary and her Jar of Jam (written by Catherine Bruce and directed by Clara McBride). Each story presented its own unique perspective of womanhood: from the power of a Black woman’s hair, to the internal struggles faced by abused women, to what happens to us as we age. The subject matter, whether comedic or challenging, is handled with grace and care; you can feel the passion which has gone into this project from start to finish.

I have to give big kudos to the actors involved, as they were not only acting, but also helping with set changes in between plays. With each little play needing its own set, there was plenty to be done and everyone mobilized to make this happen. It absolutely does take a village!

There were some truly stand-out performances amongst the many on display in Women at Play(s)6. Andrea Lyons’ portrayal of Barb in Christmas Day at the Roadside Diner was practically unhinged! She was terrifying in all the right ways to give that piece the comedic edge it required. Both Trudy Weiss and Jocelyne Zucco had the audience in stitches with their performances in U Can’t Touch This. Though it had serious and sad undertones, the way the ladies communicated with one another brought laughter and joy and made the play one that’s stuck with me since. The cast of Mary and her Jar of Jam was delightful: Autumn Davis, Janice Lewis, Angela Marriott, Dawn Obokata, and Alicia Plummer. I would give anything to have a hype squad like that in my head, and the role of Mary was played with exuberance despite not having any dialogue. Again the joy was palpable with this piece, and was a perfectly positive note to end the series with.

I thoroughly enjoyed Women at Play(s)6; it’s so important and validating to hear stories about womanhood from women at all ages of life. I eagerly await their next instalment of works! For more information and to keep up with Women at Play(s), you can find them online at: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100057272626609

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Cover photo: The cast of Women at Play(s)6

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