Suzie Miller’s plays are a gift to Australian audiences and Women’s stories. Prima Facie and Inter Alia, her first plays (and books), are all International successes.
With this new play, Strong is the New Pretty, she seeks to tell the story of the emergence of the women’s competition in the male domain of the Australian Football League (AFL).
We are told ‘This play is a fictional imagining by the playwright of true events.’
It is the storytelling of the Australian Football League for Women (AFLW), which first launched in Australia in 2017 but took decades to be realised. And a recognition of the way the women involved worked to advance their agenda.
This play encapsulates the reality of that journey and the women who paved the way for those to follow. The innate sexism and entrenched orthodoxy of the then predominantly male-focused sport and how the door was opened for the women who love this game is this plays theme.
The fiercely intelligent and hilarious direction by Sarah Giles makes this show ground breaking theatre history.
The stellar cast is an amalgam of the many women who forged the way to create the AFLW game. The ensemble group is anchored by Bev, the aspiring coach, played by Amber McMahon; the Godmother of the AFLW, Jane, played by Tara Morice; and the Commissioner, Alison, played by Lucy Bell.
These outstanding performances bring depth, humanity and truth to the journey and eventual reality that took place.
An all-women cast, the actors Amy Hack, Edyll, Amber McMahon, Amy Ingram and Nyasha Ogden play multiple roles to great effect and provide strong comic relief and dramatic nuance. The ensemble energy is rhythmic and powerful, using music, sound and movement to move through the game, on and off the field.
The set opens with direct simplicity: a spotlighted football centre stage, bringing the audience’s focus clearly to the issue at hand – how the game is played. A stunning image from Designer Christina Smith.
The chosen pre-show music was Dolly Parton’s feminist anthems, which put everyone in a buoyant, positive mood. And, with no show spoiler alerts, popular women’s anthems were used to strong and often hilarious effect.
Broken up into stages, the play’s structure lends itself to the historical context around what has now become the AFLW game.
Music, video, sound and choreography create a brilliant ensemble energy and engaging experience. Sound designer Brady Watkins, Video designer Craig Wilkinson, Lighting designer Paul Jackson, Composer Clemence Williams and Movement director Kelley Abbey create a fast-paced, animated and laugh-out-loud funny set of chaos.
Hysterical parodies of the sexist male counterparts who systemically fought the evolution of the game are clever and funny, and ironically recognisable.
The misogyny of social media’s response to the Women’s competition and the ugly side of the game are acknowledged and deftly handled.
As is the equality movement that has emerged out of the entry of women into the AFL. Women can now choose to play ‘footy’.
The work to make that happen was often unseen. Quiet. Unnoticed. But the change is now here on our sporting doorstep. We can now watch these fierce and brave trailblazers in prime time on free-to-air TV.
Equality in so many areas of career choices for women is not as progressed as it could be. Who would have thought that equality for women would happen on a sporting playing field first? Not me!
This show was originally commissioned by Trish Wadley Productions. The show has already been seen by audiences in Brisbane, Canberra and Geelong.
And it should continue to travel far and wide and reach broader audiences.
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, this play is for everyone. And, as great storytelling does, it captures the history and essence of real cultural change and will grow the understanding for audience’s of women’s sport and voices.
Do what you can to see this show.
This is storytelling at its best.
STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY!
Date: Playing till 12 Dec 2026
Venue: Drama Theatre – Sydney Opera House
Duration: 80 minutes no interval
