While weaving in complex ideas of race, identity, sexism and the rural-urban divide, 'The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race' remains light, full of humour and a breath of fresh air in these dark times.
The play is set in an outback Australian town, when the prodigal daughter returns to take over the local medical practice, and on the eve of the annual potato race, which supposedly brings people together in the warm embrace of community spirit.
The ladies of Appleton, the backbone of the community, are having a hard time. It becomes immediately obvious that the only members of the Town Show committee who show up are women, who are looking after the men in their lives until it breaks them. The men, too, are broken in their own way, the isolation, “she’ll be right mate” and economic woes too hard to shoulder. The race is something to look forward too, a bright spot on the calendar, until its traditions are challenged.
While this sets the play up to be a tale of woe and desperation, it really isn’t. It touches on such topics lightly, and its humour and charm carries the audience through. The actors – all female – are perfectly, perfectly cast and elements are instantly recognisable in all of our extended families.
The play raises all the big questions about race, education, sexuality, tradition and sexism while not for a second berating the audience or turning the characters into one dimensional cyphers. The audience can see how opinions are formed and cherished, even while they are challenged.
The stage setting was brilliant too – an old ute parked in the middle of the double revolve* stage was cleverly but simply transformed into a market stall, a podium, and even a hair salon. The costume design was fabulous too – there will no doubt be a run on leopard print leggings if enough people get along to the almost booked out show.
If you can still get tickets, head along to see this funny, nostalgic and gently powerful show while you can – the eighties dance number in the middle alone is worth the cost of entrance.
*Cheers to the excellent Rachel Gordon’s partner (Rachel plays Nikki) for this technical theatre jargon – promise to give you a shout-out officially kept!
Words: Luisa Ryan
