Review: The Ladies of Juliana, Etcetera Theatre

It’s all too easy to imagine that only male convicts were shipped off to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries. But that really wasn’t the case, with many women also sent halfway around the world in attempts to create a more balanced colony. The other big misconception would be that most of these women were “fallen women”, convicted of prostitution. The sad truth is that many committed rather minor crimes yet were sentenced to this severe punishment.

Six such women are those we meet on the convict ship Juliana, making the long voyage to their new homes. And whilst none may have been convicted of prostitution, nearly all are finding themselves with little option but to use their bodies to survive the journey, even if that is just by getting paid with a bottle of rum to help them forget; as they say, “We use what we have to get what we want”

The Ladies of Juliana is at times a beautiful thing. At the outset, the six harmonise, and the sound made is truly incredible. Wordlessly, they fill our senses with a mixture of the calmness of being at sea, along with the turmoil of being held captive on a boatful of men. The movement in these moments also excels, something that is probably not as easy as they make it look in the tight confines of the Etcetera Theatre. The occasional addition of cello only adds to the effect, especially in its depiction of the storm that engulfs the ship.

What at times isn’t quite as successful is those moments all six quarrel, perhaps a victim of that smaller stage. There are moments when it all feels like it has descended into a noise that really isn’t needed. Rather, it is the more controlled scenes when the volume is turned down that best drive the narrative forward. Similarly, at times it seems too rushed; a little pause for breath could be beneficial in giving it the required full control.

That tight space, though, doesn’t stop them from going all out with the set, wooden crates, buckets, and even netting, helping conjure up the feel of an old wooden sailing ship. The costuming, hair and make-up greatly enhance that sense of place and time, an effect that is further played upon as the women return from elsewhere on the ship with slightly dishevelled appearances, leaving little doubt what has gone on out of sight. 

Whilst each of the six characters has their own identity and role, given the hour-long runtime, it’s always going to be the case that some story arcs feel more refined. Lottie perhaps shines brightest; her curiosity and later loss of innocence are powerful and telling of what such women were put through for their crimes. Elsewhere, puritan Elizabeth and all her talk of sin drives home the imbalance in how religion seems to give men a much freer pass when it comes to sex. 

The Ladies of Juliana powerfully exposes the hypocrisy about the treatment of women; it may be an 18th-century setting, but it is one that still prevails in many minds today. It is a moving show, one that absolutely comes to full life in those moments of harmony that fill the small theatre space with the sound of sirens lamenting their loss. 

Devised & Written by the Company (Lydia Moll, Erin Nothnagel, Lydia Moll, Niamh Hall, Jocelyn Bathie, Kamahri May, Martha-Rose McKeown)
Lighting & Set Design by Vince Field
Produced by SweptUnder Productions

You can read more about this show in our interview here.

The Ladies of Juliana has completed its run at the Camden Fringe.