8 WOMEN

by Robert Thomas

Translated by Céline Oudin

Directed by Chris Baldock

Place: an isolated mansion in rural France

When: December. 1950s

​

CREDITS:

Director/Dramaturg: Chris Baldock

Assistant Director: Céline Oudin

Set Designer: Chris Baldock

Set Realisation: Shamus Moore, Christian Bishop, Chris Baldock

Sound + Lighting Designer/Operator: Chris Baldock

Costumes: Celine Oudin + Company

Props: Celine Oudin, Chris Baldock + Company

Social Media: Rishika Nair

Art Work + Publicity: Chris Baldock

Photography: Chris Baldock, Ned Swann + Catherine Elias

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Archita Sreekumar, Jayde Dowhy, Kim Wilson, Isabella Markoska, Chloe Jenkins, Anna Hemming, Rebecca Fleming, Emily O’Brien​, Kristi Venae, Alliance Française, Helen Musa + CityNews, The Canberra Digest, Australian Arts Review, The French Embassy, Telopea Park School Parents Committee, Xavier Bolla, Natalie Russell, Matthew Dowler

Special thanks to Charles Oliver and Goodwin Retirement Village, Dickson

And a huge thanks to Anni, Linda + Kyle from Belconnen Arts Centre

From the Director: 

Welcome to the Canberra premiere, and indeed the world premiere of this translation of 8 Women.

At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France, a family is gathered for the holiday season. But there will be no celebration — their beloved patriarch has been murdered! The killer can only be one of the eight women closest to the man of the house. Part comedy, part murder-mystery, the action centres around these women who try to discover the truth. Comedic situations arise with the revelations of dark family secrets. Eight women. Each is a suspect. One of them must be guilty. Which one is it?

Winner of the Hachette Prix du Quai des Orfevres for Best Play, Robert Thomas’ play 8 Femmes (8 Women) is one of the most popular plays in his native France. In 2002, 8 Women was adapted into a movie musical by François Ozon starring the who’s who of French cinema – including Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Fanny Ardant and Emmanuelle Béart.

The passion and talent Céline brings to her translation of this massively entertaining play has been so infectious. We have spent many months workshopping the play so that it not only sits well with the Australian ear but also stays true to its French origins which, needless to say, has been a challenging and fascinating tightrope act. As the dramaturg, it’s been vital for me that the wicked humour and outspoken characters of the original remain the same. For murder mystery fans, it has a shock ending that only the French could dream up! I am trusting that you, our beloved audience, do not reveal the ending!

Mockingbird has developed a special relationship with Belconnen Arts Centre this year; transforming the Rehearsal Room into a viable theatrical space withFully Committed in July and now taking it a step further with this production. And now, we are excited to venture further as we become the venue’s resident theatre company in 2025 and beyond. Utilising the Rehearsal Room and the accompanying office/green room for productions, classes, workshops, curated + special events and much, much more, Belco Arts has given Mockingbird a real, live home! We could not be more excited and grateful and trust you will join us next year. And, as always, thank you for your support. So appreciated!

CAST (in order of appearance):

​Liz St Clair Long – Granny​

Canberra Repertory Society: The Actress (Lydia Martin); Mr Bennet’s Bride(Mary); Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Big Mama); The Grapes of Wrath(Ensemble); Waiting in the Wings (Deidre); A View From the Bridge (Greek Chorus); The Art of Coarse Acting (Stage Manager); Pride and Prejudice(Lady Catherine de Burgh): Hayfever (Judith Bliss); Don Parties On (Helen); Blithe Spirit (Mme Arcati); Tom & Viv (Viv); Tartuffe (Elmira); Sinners(Monica); Seasons Greetings (Belinda); Henceforward (Zoe/Nan); Just Between Ourselves (Pam); Blithe Spirit (Elvira); The Country Wife (Alithea); The Misanthrope (Celimene); Arms and the Man (Raina); Romanoff and Juliet (Marfa); Death of a Salesman (Jenny); Androcles and the Lion(Ensemble)

Mockingbird Theatre Company: The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (multiple characters)

Alchemy Artistic: The Boys (Sandra)

AWARDS: Canberra Area Theatre Awards – Waiting in the Wings; Cat On A Hot Tin Roof; The Boys. Peoples’ Choice (Short & Sweet Festival 2019) – Shopping for Underwear

Carole Wallace – Madame Chanel

Carole’s recent acting includes playing the characters Monica in the stage production of Mother and Son; April the Elf in a radio production of Wallaby Bob with Tempo Theatre Inc.; Margo in a TV commercial for Care Taxis with Ghetto Media; as Production Assistant in a film called Gone, by Ruccha Tathavadkar and an extra in The Kanberry Vampire Hunters with Walk World Productions.

Carole has been acting on the stage since 2007, appearing in Khaki Fur Felt, The Kelly Women, Soaking In It and The Incident at Fugue Bay. She has also appeared in films screened during the Lights Canberra Action and Short and Sweet film festivals, competed in poetry slams and appeared in TV commercials and corporate training videos. She has also used her acting and improvisation skills as a “patient” at the ANU Medical School.

Carole has completed courses with The National Acting School, NIDA, Acting for the Fun of It and Mockingbird Acting Studio.  Recently, she has participated in reading of new short plays for Canberra Repertory Society’s The Logues to showcase the work of  local playwrights.

She is currently working on the Director’s Course with Mockingbird Acting Theatre Company and Acting Studio and has performed monologues in several showcase events over the last two years. 

Catherine Elias – Louise

Catherine fell in love with the stage as a child when she performed in on-ice pantomimes of Peter Pan, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin. Some of her favourite university memories include her acting experiences including playing the lead in the musical Fly By Night. Her most played Spotify songs consists of musical soundtracks of SIX, Hamilton and Epic. When she isn’t going to wineries or hiking, Catherine is often doing at-home ‘paint and sip’ sessions with friends, and wondering how she can make use of her medical science degree.

Emily Borgo – Suzon

Emily is a student at Mockingbird Acting Studio and is excited to debut in her first production with the Studio as Suzon in 8 Women. By day, Emily works in the Australian public service. When not working, she enjoys trying her hand in the kitchen to some success.

Céline Oudin – Gaby

Céline was born in France and has lived in Australia for 21 years. She worked in the film industry in France for 7 years (as producer’s assistant, director’s assistant, co-script writer, producer and director). 

From 2010, Celine attended acting classes in Sydney, directed No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre in 2013, and co-directed 2 comedy show projects in collaboration with author/director/producer David Perrin in 2014. After moving to Canberra in 2020, she attended acting and directing classes with Chris Baldock at Mockingbird Acting Studio.

Céline also acted in independent theatre productions, including No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre (directed by Glen Hamilton), Dead White Males by David Williamson (directed by Gavin Vance), Corporate Vibes by David Williamson (directed by Glen Hamilton), Miss Margarita by Roberto Athayde (directed by Jean-Yves Brignon), La Clinica written & directed by Carolina Diaz, Théâtre sans Animaux/Tragédie Jean-Michel Ribes (directed by Jean-Yves Brignon), We are the Ghosts of the Future by Verity Laughton (directed by Harriet Gillies), Le Faiseur by Honoré de Balzac (directed by Jean-Yves Brignon). 

Jane O’Sullivan – Augustine

Jane has a diploma of Acting from The Ensemble Studios, Sydney. Her theatre credits include Christopher Hampton’s Dangerous Liaisons, Lillian Helman’s The Children’s Hour, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Woody Allen’s Play It Again Sam, Michael Gow’s Away, Rita Kalnejais’ First Love is the Revolution, and David Tristram’s Last Tango in Little Grimley.

Liz Caddy – Catherine

Lizzy is a 23-year-old Canberra local who has been doing theatre, music and dance for as long as she can remember. She is currently completing a double degree at the Australian National University; specialising in International Relations, Gender Studies and Music. Lizzy works as a children’s entertainer and dance/music educator. Her performance background includes completing various acting short courses, studying acting at Dickson College, and doing over a decade of dance training at KHSD. Notable roles include Cinderella in her school’s 2018 production of Into The Woods and Dance Captain for the Philharmonic Society’s 2019 production of Beauty and the Beast. Recently, Lizzy has expanded her skillset through improvisation classes with ImproACT and regularly performs improv and her original music across Canberra. This is Lizzy’s first time working with Mockingbird Theatre and she is thrilled to be a part of such a talented team.

Maxine Eayrs – Pierette

Maxine is a 23 year old woman with a small but dazzling theatre resume. After spending her teens in Oxfordshire (which she finds helpful for Pierrette’s accent) she returned to Australia to go to university and pursue a career in acting. When she isn’t studying sociology, she’s learning lines! This is her third production in Canberra, having previously starred as a femme take on Dionysos in a National University Theatre Society production of Anne Carson’s The Bakkhai, and in 2023 she was nominated for The Ovation’s ‘Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama’ for her role as Virginia in ACT Hub’s production of Ruben Guthrie.

“I hope the audience loves Pierrette as much as I do, I’m so lucky to get the rare opportunity to play such a fiery and intimidating woman. In my eyes, she can do no wrong!”

REVIEWS

“A delightfully entertaining evening of theatre, “8 Women” proved an enticing introduction into a potentially exciting new theatrical collaboration and a welcome entry into Canberra’s already vibrant theatre scene” – Bill Stephens, Australian Arts Review

“Director, Chris Baldock, has obtained strong performances from his cast. The level of frantic action, the creation of an effective ensemble and attention to detail throughout, indicate the steady hand of his direction. This is a funny and entertaining production that takes the whodunnit genre and gives it a distinctly French flavour” – Len Power, Canberra Critics Circle

“This new translation is a lot of fun…this show is funny and entertaining throughout…Go see it, it’s a romp!” – Stage Whispers