Five very different women take positions on the stage, the last to enter: Deborah Kearne as Amy, carrying what seems to be all her worldly possessions in two big carrier bags, pauses; we wait, she then delivers one of the most perfect opening lines to any play. It wrongfoots, it intrigues, it’s deliciously dark yet beautifully comedic, and it’s delivered with expert timing. Immediately we are drawn in to the darkly comic world she and some of the others inhabit, before us each of their tales are told in turn, some more comedic, some darker, with the other four adding colour and texture, as if they are helping the story to breathe; curated in perfect order and balance by the director Deirdre Daly.
Each story is exactly the right length, and we are in the palms of their hands as their lives unfold before us. What is perhaps even more unusual is that each story goes to a surprising place: there is nothing that can be anticipated in any of them, and for those of us who watch a substantial amount of theatre or film, this is beyond satisfying: it is deeply delightful. Writer Emma Kelly wrote the stories taking inspiration both from folklore and myth plus aspects of her own life as tangential jumping off points to start each of the women’s lives.
Perhaps the most recognisable myth is that of the Selkie, played with both feminine softness and deep feminine passion and power by Laura Scobie. Her way of moving as if she is in water is always present and subtle, which is a lovely detail. Her ferocity and empowering conclusion is so deeply felt it exudes to us all, like the waves of which she is part. Tia Dunn’s extraordinary tale as Frankie resonates with every woman: the societal expectation to stay youthful in order to be relevant, and how quickly women get written off by society or certain professions after they reach a still fairly young age. She embraces her new found power with such relish it’s gorgeous: her long graceful extensions like a dancer, always striking.
Aylin’s story starts as perhaps the most usual to our audience ears but writer Emma Kelly takes it to entirely different and surprising – and deeply satisfying – places. Demet Dayanch plays Aylin with beautiful natural acting bringing her alive with truth and more and more power to the satisfying conclusion. Lorraine Yu shines in a stunningly physical performance as Sheena, taking a genre usually reserved for men and turning it on its head. There are so many relatable parts to her story for any woman, including the final snap of impatience after years of being patient and caring. This is a wonderful way to see women’s power embrace all aspects of story telling, and a stunning way to end the whole play.
In a whole stage of wonderful actors with incredible talent on show, the standout that edges it is Deborah Kearne as Amy. She plays it completely straight which is deeply funny, as well as quite tragic, or perhaps not. Seen by the world and her family as suffering a mental ill health episode, she is completely believable as this poor woman who gets manipulated and coerced and doesn’t even realise it. She is transformed, relatable as a woman, and gives a masterclass in character acting and story telling. Her delivery of “I wasn’t alone, I was seen and not sidelined” is pitched so perfectly it hits every woman, indeed everyone, who has ever felt invisible, isolated and marginalised. The crisps deserve a special mention of genius adding to the crying with laughter from the audience. And the ending is glorious.
When you see the title Wild Women, you might wonder if this is for you. It could have been a feminist rant, but most certainly isn’t. These are tales of empowerment and validation, of reclaiming identity of who you are and discovering more. The power of belief, the power of passion, and the power of transformation as women naturally go through so many during their lives. In the time where human rights of all kinds are being attacked, including women, these are important empowering reminders to be yourself. And to find fun in life: in stories and in company. This is a first class night at the theatre: great stories and stunning acting, all beautifully put together. Fabulous, fun, deeply satisfying and incredibly empowering.
Lewes Con Club, 3 July 2026
Wild Women tour to be announced
Photos credit: Roxy Van Der Post
