Alma Mater

Jo (Justine Mitchell) is the first female head of a college, an ex journalist and firebrand feminist in her youth, brought in to improve diversity.  A student, Nikki (played by an excellent Phoebe Cambell), who plans to become an activist/ journalist herself has meanwhile begun keeping track of microagressions which are normalising what she identifies as a pervasive rape culture at the college.  She is spurred into action when she discovers a rape has taken place.  The play is a twisty windy exploration of the differences between different generations of feminists, particularly highlighted by the previous firebrand now trying to close down the issues to protect the institution she one railed against.  Added into the mix are the competing interests of individuals and institutions and an attempt to tease out the myriad implications of #metoo, trial by social media and shifting attempts to place blame.  It led to some interesting conversations in the interval and the walk back to the station on changing social and sexual attitudes,  the issue of consent and what are the responsibilities of parents (of daughters and sons), individuals and institutions in navigating these choppy waters.  

The play is very dialogue heavy, and so I wasn’t surprised that Justine Mitchell was still carrying her script around due to her late stepping into the role but it was barely noticeable most of the time.  The rest of the ensemble were all excellent, and I liked the staging with an outer ring where the cast sat to watch the proceedings, stepping into the square forum to participate in the debate.  

 This one had me mulling things over all of the way home and I don’t really think I have reached any conclusions yet, but then I think that is probably the point.