Splendour — Red Stitch

Overview

In the opulent palace of a merciless dictator, four women exchange pleasantries as civil war draws near. There's the First Lady, her best friend, a foreign journalist and a translator, each of whom bring their own unique perspective to this operatic tale about the perilous nature of power.

First performed in Edinburgh more than a decade and a half ago, Splendour was written by playwright Abi Morgan, whose resume has since been bolstered by critically acclaimed screenplays such as Shame, Suffragette and The Iron Lady. Yet even in this early work, it would seem her feminist credentials were on full display.

The Red Stitch production, which marks the play's Australian premiere, will be directed by Jenny Kemp, and stars company regulars Rosie Lockhart and Olga Makeeva alongside newcomers Belinda McClory and Olivia Monticciolo. The March 31 performance will also be followed by a Q&A.