The Shape of a Girl June 21, 2010

The Shape of a Girl
By Joan MacLeod
Riverside Theatres
Tuesday 22 June
10am & 12.30pm
Two performances only!
Written by one of Canada's most respected playwrights, Governor General's Award winner Joan MacLeod, The
Shape of a Girl is a dynamic one-woman production that looks at the realities of teenage relationships,
aggression and codes of behaviour. The Shape of a Girl is playing at Riverside Theatres on Tuesday 22
June for two performances only at 10am and 12.30pm.
Noel Jordan is back to direct the return season of gripping production that will strongly resonate with audiences
given the recent chilling murder of WA schoolgirl Eliza Jane Davis by two school friends and the media and
government focus on bullying amidst the evolving role of social media.
Inspired by the brutal 1997 murder of Canadian high school student Reena Virk by her peers, MacLeod’s version
of the events through the prism of a fifteen-year-old girl following the media coverage of the trial is heart
wrenching and intensely raw. When a TV news story about a teenage girl accused of a shocking act of violence
comes to light, fifteen year old Brydie realises she has some memories of her own which she cannot forget and
indeed must confront.The play tracks through flashback the superficial innocence of Brydie’s childhood as she
moves inexorably towards teenage bullying and adult responsibility. In the face of her friend Sophie’s torment,
Brydie finally has to act. She does the unthinkable when doing nothing becomes unbearable.
Performer Jodie Le Vesconte, whose theatre credits include Hoods and Children of the Black Skirt, was lucky
enough to escape high school unscathed but witnessed bullying and remained silent. The notion of bystander
apathy and responsibility was her starting point in researching the role.
“I’ve found myself following packs of school girls around shopping centres, observing their physicality and
hierarchy – who is the leader and who are the followers? It’s a very complex social structure” said Jodie Le
Vesconte.
Hailed as compulsory viewing for teenagers by critics and audiences alike, The Shape of a Girl is a riveting,
honest and at times humorous look at surviving adolescence. A sobering glimpse into the world of teenage codes
of silence and complicity, it offers the embrace of trust as the only way out of a circle of violence.
an intense little powerhouse of a play that goes straight to the heart and guts
Calgary Straight
Jodie Le Vesconte’s interpretation of the role of Brydie was thoughtful, exciting and quite simply stunning. This is
a riveting and thought-provoking piece.
Arts Hub
sober and gripping…feels so much more real than most portraits of young people onstage.
New York Times
Director Noel Jordan
With Jodie Le Vesconte
Set & Costume Designer Brad Clark
Sound Designer David Franzke
Lighting Designer Karen Norris
Duration 60 minutes
Riverside Theatres wishes to advise patrons that this production is also a part of our Education Season. Please note
that our daytime performances are also offered to school-age audiences, however patrons are most welcome to
attend.
The Shape of a Girl
RIVERSIDE THEATRES, Cnr Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
DATES: Tuesday 22 June at 10am & 12.30pm
SINGLE TICKET PRICES: $18 per student
BOOKINGS: Riverside Box Office 02 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au