David Kary

RBG: ONE OF MANY : A REMARKABLE LIFE

 

Heather Mitchell in STC RBG Of Many,  Image Credit Prudence Upton

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“I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history
Through corridors of light, where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit, clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
What is precious, is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog, the flowering of the spirit.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields,
See how these names are fêted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre.
Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.”
Stephen Spender, “The Truly Great” from Collected Poems 1928-1953. Copyright © 1955 by Stephen Spender.  

With RBG: ONE OF MANY Sydney theatregoers have the opportunity to learn a lot about the life of American lawyer and jurist Ruth Bader  Ginsburg, one of the truly great and iconic figures of the last hundred years.

Prominent Australian playwright, and a lawyer herself, Suzi Miller, best known for her play Prima Facie which has had a season in London and is soon to have a season in Broadway, has written a  finely detailed portrait of the great lady.

Miller’s play leaps from page to stage via Priscilla Jackman’s astute direction, and a marvellous performance from Heather Mitchell,  who worked with Miller in 2018 at the Sydney Theatre Company in  Still Turning : The Catherine McGregor Story, the story of another amazing woman.

Creating the world of the play is the show’s creative team which included set and costume designer David Fleischer, lighting designer Alexander Berlage, composer Paul Charlier. 

For this production Sharon Millerchip, one of our most talented and popular performers took a back stage role as the show’s Assistant director.

These are some of the impressions one is left with. RBG excitedly, impatiently waiting by the telephone, waiting for President Clinton to offer her a position on the Supreme Court. Her fight for gender equality. Her toughness in her stand-off with President Obama who wanted her to retire in time so that she could be replaced with an other Democratic judge. Her personal life, and the loss of her life partner.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg  truly wore at her heart the fire’s centre.

RBG: OF MANY, ONE is playing the Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company until the 17th December 2022.

http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au

Featured image : Heather Mitchell in STC RBG : One Of Many. Pic PrudenceUpton