Girl Talk
By Patrick Edgeworth
2000 – 2001 National Tour
October 7 – December 2, 2000 – 8 week tour to 27 venues in QLD, NSW, VIC
Mt Isa, Charters Towers, Proserpine, Mackay, Capella, Rockhampton, Maryborough, Nambour, Chinchilla, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Parramatta, Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Ararat, Ballarat, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga, Hamilton, Yarram, Wonthaggi, Warburton, Warragul, Traralgon & Bairnsdale.
February 15 – June 23, 2001 – 21 week tour to 42 venues in TAS, WA, VIC, NSW, SA, NT & QLD
Warrnambool, Portland, Colac, Hobart, Launceston, Karratha, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Bunbury, Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Preston, Nunawading, Frankston, Bayswater, Moonee Ponds, Echuca, Bendigo, Albury, Griffith, Bathurst, Dubbo, Wollongong, Orange, Taree, Gosford, Mt. Gambier, Renmark, Broken Hill, Port Pirie, Whyalla, Werribee, Belrose, Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Perth, Mandurah & Toowoomba.
A production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions
Girl Talk, by Australian playwright Patrick Edgeworth (Boswell for the Defence), is a relatable comedy for a mainstream audience.
Set in the living room of a home in a typical Australian suburb, it is the wry, funny tale of an English migrant, Julie and a dinky-di Aussie, Gail who find that their experiences with men have given them a lot in common. Julie is a happily married woman whose only worries seem to be her teenage kids and what to make for dinner. However, soon after meeting Gail, her younger but worldlier neighbour, she is dumped by her husband for a woman half her age. Julie is suddenly cast into middle age, sharing with the audience the all too common angst a woman faces as the undeniable physical and emotional changes occur. She creates poems to deal with her common ordinary life, which act as a window revealing insight and humour. Her poems further act as a brilliant counterpart to and commentary on the action of the play. Both characters fill the stage with their infectious spirit and soul searching. Mutual support helps Julie and Gail through a year of upheaval which ultimately results in acceptance and empowerment. Julie finds love where she least expects it while Gail, in her own outrageous way, continues her quest for the perfect mate.
Girl Talk takes the audience on a lively, witty and often poignant journey of the growth of a friendship between two women. It’s a journey of learning and discovery. Some of the discoveries are traumatic but not only does the two women’s friendship survive the setbacks, it takes on a deeper significance as they accept what has happened and move forward in their lives. This play has been critically acclaimed in the UK, USA and South Africa. HIT’s touring production was the Australian Premiere of the play.
Reviews
“Everything about ‘Girl Talk’ says ‘hit’. It… is finely written, matches wit with pathos and the performances are excellent.“
Catherine Lambert, Sunday Herald Sun, VIC, 11/00
“Girl Talk is a light-hearted play, which will appeal to a wide audience. It is directed with finesse by David Latham, who keeps it funny and the pace swift. This play… should be a great crowd-pleaser.“
Kate Herbert, Herald Sun, VIC, 11/00
“The show is a sure-fire winner… mainly because of its two fine performers. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable night out.“
Helen Thomson, The Age, VIC, 11/00
“Weaver and O’Leary possess the chemistry and presence to make Girl Talk work – and work it does… Listen to Girl Talk, because you will be better for it.“
The Examiner, Launceston, TAS, 02/01
“The writing is funny, with a regular input of effective one-liners – entertaining without being startlingly original.“
The Mercury, TAS, 03/01
“Weaver showed her considerable talent by maintaining the droll north-country English accent throughout the play, which contained a host of classic one-liners… Full of pathos, Girl Talk could be read on many levels with its underlying themes of love, childbirth, poignancy, the human emotions dividing love and sex and the personal growth that comes from disappointment and rejection. It really was a thoroughly enjoyable night.“
South Western Times, 03/01
“Girl Talk is a warm comedy full of depth and understanding, addressing emotionally charges issues through a lighthearted, humorous approach.“
Tertangala, Journal of Wollongong University Student Association, NSW, 05/01
“Jacki Weaver has never been funnier on stage than she is now at The Glen Street Theatre as Julie… The two actors at Glen Street work brilliantly together and are perfectly and contrastingly cast. There’s enormous fun here, and more than a few moments of almost tear-making drama. You would have to be a misogynist not to share the joy of this ‘woman’s’ show’.“
The Australian Jewish News, 05/01
“As the story infolded the mainly female audience at the Playhouse would erupt into spontaneous applause as they recognised a friend, a relative or themselves on stage. Playwright Patrick Edgeworth must be a master eavesdropper – he’s got girl talk to a T. And Jacki and Christen brilliantly milk every line for emotions, the highs and the lows. Their timing is superb.“
Post Impressions, Perth, WA, 06/01
Cast
Gail: Christen O’Leary
Julie: Jacki Weaver
Creatives
Playwright: Patrick Edgeworth
Director: David Latham & Melanie Beddie
Design: Judith Cobb
Lighting: Rachel Burke