Prima Facie

A one-woman show with lead character Tessa being played by acclaimed Australian performer Sheridan Harbridge and directed by Helpmann Award-winning director Lee Lewis, Prima Facie is a poignant and hard-hitting piece of theatre. 

The piece follows the life and experience of Tessa, a criminal lawyer who is at the top of her game. Working on countless cases of sexual assault, even defending those charged with the crime, her life is turned upside down when she becomes the victim and finds herself on the other side of the courtroom. 

Although a fictional work, Prima Facie is a strong representation of Australia’s current legal climate in regard to these issues. Sheridan Harbridge takes the stage for this piece as the sole performer and spoke with City Hub about the challenges of this piece.

“Rehearsals were very intense. Because it’s just me. I just felt such an incredible heat and microscope that was on me. It was really challenging but super rewarding when we got to the other side of it.”

Sheridan also spoke of the on-stage energy of the piece, despite it being a one-woman piece saying, “The show has really hit its stride and it’s actually very energetic and life-affirming for the audience and for me.”

Prima Facie throws the downfalls of our legal system out into the blaring lights of the stage. Of the audience’s experience, Sheridan concludes: “People have described it as very intense, but ultimately it’s a call to arms. It’s frightening, tense, but it’s hopeful. I think ultimately it’s a very intense journey that really cracks open where the legal system is and its flaws.”

July 3-6. Riverside Theatres, Cnr Church & Market Streets, Parramatta. $50-$62+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

By Madison Behringer