It was supposed to be simple, the plan was to make the glitter poster, shoot an amazing video and ask the “hot girl” out from her history class. Instead Ellie finds herself in her bedroom alone with a stranger, while her mother is in the next room bawling her eyes out over her daughter's newly expressed sexuality. Oh did I forget to mention that the stranger is in fact Ellie’s dead aunt sent to guide her through the trials and tribulations of young love as only a “fairy godmother” could. Yep, life is about to get interesting.
Written and directed by award winning Australian screenwriter and actress Monica Zanetti, Ellie, Abbie & Ellie's Dead Aunt, at its very heart, is a romantic comedy about firsts, whether it be your first love, your first born or your first heartbreak. For many characters in the play it's all three. Cleverly written, Zanetti delivers a script that is sassy, sophisticated and filled with sweet sentiments. The play is such a breath of fresh air, especially for the LGBTQI community who in 2016 were struck by so many tragedies (Orlando shootings, trans bathroom bill in high schools, the backlash from tv shows killing off LGBT characters, and more) the timing of this play couldn’t be any better. It was wonderful having the chance to get lost in a play, which had you believing that the world could better a place.
I won’t say the play is all glitter and fairy lights, though they can both be found with in this world. Zanetti has also touched on some heavier topics such as homophobia within the family structure and the unjust violence that is committed towards our community, in truth conveying that like most things even life must be told from both sides.
It is however her portrayal of a same sex relationship involving two Australia teenage girls that had me rejoicing and for two reasons. One it was shown as just any other “normal” relationship. Yes they were two girls but the emotions and feelings that were conjured up would have had everyone reminiscing back to their own teen years, no matter your preference. The same excitement, insecurities and confusion are there. The second reason is Zanetti’s ability to capture the “essence” of her teenagers and tap into their world of without alienating the adult/older viewer. Her teens are smart and haven’t been dumbed down like so many others seem to do.
The cast is made of six strong female cast members. Sophie Hawkshaw is brilliant as the charming Ellie and is so believable to the point that I wonder how much of the character is her. Because of her effortlessness we automatically fall in love with the school captain who's little awkward around the edges. Playing her love interest is Geraldine Viswanathan as Abbie. Abbie is the complete opposite to Ellie - she’s feisty, self assured and out-spoken, but despite their differences the connection between them is felt from the first moment they are on stage together.
Playing the roles of the adults were Meagan Caratti as Ellie’s mother Erica and Margi De Ferranti as Patty/Mrs Trimble. Caratti’s portrayal of mother grieving over the “idea of how her child would be” comes across so convincingly that at times that you actually dislike her. You wonder how she could be so selfish but as the story goes on and truths are told her actions become easier to swallow and you realise just how strong she’s had to be. What we viewed as disappointment or sorrow is in fact concern and wanting to shelter her daughter from the truth.
De Frantti has her work cut out for her playing two characters and having them be so distinct from each other. Her role as Mrs Trimble is hilarious as the strict Irish school teacher who at any chance will try and sneak off for a smoke, even at the school formal. Patty is Erica’s gay best friend who works as the bridge between a mother and daughter.
The play's shining star, however would have to be that of Amber (Ellie’s dead Aunt) played by none other than Zanetti herself ( I tell you this woman does everything). Amber is rebel spirit who has all the answers for everyone else and yet is a lost soul in search of her own. Having passed away in the decade of the 80’s it was nice to see her character juxtaposed with that of Hawkshaw’s Ellie. Both gay teens growing up in two different eras and yet discovering that even with modern technology the fundamentals of relationships are still the same.
The staging was minimal allowing for quick and effective scene changes, but when you had these wonderful women on stage none of that mattered. Each character had a path laid out for them and we got to witness their journey, without giving to mush away I do thank Zanetti for her inclusion of LGBT political history within her play, to remember those before us who have pioneered the way for us to be free to love who we love but even as simple free to put on such plays.
Ellie, Abbie and Ellie’s dead aunt is playing at The Depot theatre in Marrickville until Wednesday the 8th of April. Production photos by Tina Lee.
