"A Room of One’s Own is a must for literary lovers, feminists or those wishing a theatre experience presented with elegant finesse, showcasing some of the wonderful talent in our city."

​CHERYL THREADGOLD

Melbourne Observer (2016)

Hearty congratulations to Peta Hanrahan, who has not only translated this eloquent work for the stage, but is director, producer and lighting designer.
In 1928, English 20th century writer and modernist Virginia Woolf presented a series of lectures to female students at Girton Girls’ College, Cambridge and Newnham College, Oxford, raising awareness of the problems facing female writers, particularly through poverty and lack of education. Woolf believed a woman must have money and a room of her very own if she is to write fiction.
​Woolf’s book A Room of One’s Own was published in 1929, comprises of a series of essays based on her lectures.

Director Hanrahan notes in the program that Woolf’s original literature ‘is inherently performable’ and ‘ … we honour Woolf’s literary genius by making the ideas of her original text far more consumable for a contemporary audience …’
In Hanrahan’s restructured narrative, actors Carolyn Bock, Marissa O’Reilly, Jackson Trickett and Anna Kennedy symbolise in fine style the four corners of Woolf’s mind in conversation with itself. Casting a male to be part of this female equality-focused discourse adds an interesting dimension.
All four actors do great work capturing the style of the period and articulating Woolf’s words, thoughts and emotions. Particularly outstanding is Carolyn Bock’s strong performance.

Dagmara Gieysztor’s thought-provoking set reflects Woolf’s writerly world, and great to see the Courthouse’s stained glass windows prominently featured above the ’library’. 
Virginia Woolf would surely be delighted that so many years later her thoughts and visions are being conveyed so sincerely and effectively to Melbourne audiences in such an intimate and atmospheric venue.
A Room of One’s Own is a must for literary lovers, feminists or those wishing a theatre experience presented with elegant finesse, showcasing some of the wonderful talent in our city.