Low Level Panic
Image: Geraldine Hakewill.
Photo by Julia Robertson.
Justin Martin’s production of Low Level Panic is set to take the stage at the Old Fitz Theatre after a string of successful seasons in the UK.
The award-winning play written by Clare McIntyre is a bold and unflinching portrayal of femininity in both the public and private spheres. In an alarming sign of our times, the themes of sexism and sexuality that are explored in the play are as relevant now as when it was first written in the 1980’s.
Geraldine Hakewill, star of Channel 7’s Wanted, plays Celia, the prim and proper one out of the three female housemates. For Hakewill, playing a character that buys into what society says a woman should be was confronting.
“It forces you to delve quite deeply into your own thoughts about the way you look and how you interact with the world in terms of your appearance,” she said.
The play’s equally confronting exploration into sexism and sexual abuse also appealed to Hakewill, and it was something that director Justin Martin wanted to house in a more modern context.
“Hopefully it starts discussions about [sexism]. That’s why I wanted to be a part of it, because it’s such a wonderful play and it does start conversations and leaves big questions unanswered. It was written in the 80’s but feels like an episode of Girls from last week. That’s so frustrating and terrifying,” said Hakewill.
See how far we have – or haven’t come – with this foul-mouthed and funny foray into the world of women. (CB)
Until Aug 12. Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $28-$38. Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com
BY CAITLIN BURNS
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