RESPECT THE EGG: A REVIEW OF 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE

By Georgia Chapman | @georgia_chapman99 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s nothing quite like walking into a theatre and not having the foggiest clue about what you’re about to see. That’s the exact feeling my friend Fran and I had when walking into the Tower Theatre in Stoke Newington, ready to step into 1956 and literally see 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche.

HELLO FELLOW WIDOWS!

From the get-go, the ladies of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are poised, primped and ready for their annual quiche breakfast. As the ‘widows’ prepare for the winners’ announcement of the best quiche competition, the atomic bomb siren starts to blare, and lockdown of the community centre begins. To their ‘dismay’, the ladies are trapped with only 104 women and quiches to keep them company. 

Fran and I have never laughed so much during the entire performance, the whole crowd was alive in the packed theatre. There was some audience participation, so I’m glad the men left their egos aside and happily reveled with the other ‘widows’.

“Packed with belly laughs and a genuinely refreshing and fun take on togetherness. The way in which they involved the audience made it feel joyful and alive,” Fran, 28. 

THE LADIES OF TOWER THEATRE

Lulie, played by Lucy Moss, President of the society and the strong, resourceful, domineering leader of the widows. Although there was absolutely no meat in the quiches, there was definitely beef between Lulie and Ginny. With sly swipes and slight isolation, Lucy displayed her aversion to Ginny extremely well.

Wren, played by Louise Kahira, had phenomenal stage presence. She was able to command the audience’s attention with every line and fleeting glance. 

Ginny, played by Sussex-born Ciara Gaughan, mastered the Leeds accent with ease. Being from Sheffield myself, our accents aren’t the easiest to replicate – nevermind for an entire play – but not once did Ciara falter. Her charm and subtlety brought Ginny to life, and on top of a table. 

Paulina Tár, portrayed the awkward, handy Vern very well. Paulina played a brilliant caretaker, ensuring the ladies were safe while keeping a demure and elegant demeanour. 

Dale, played by Olivia Peacock, gave an outstanding performance as the youngest of the sisters. Not only captivating the audience during her life story monologue, but her dramatic pauses were brilliant at tricking the audience. 

Marjorie, played by an unlucky audience member in the first row, was a consistent source of disgust and disdain for the ladies of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. But, a source of humour and fun for the audience members, and Marjorie themself. 

Speaking with the formidable Ciara Gaughan about the experience in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, she explained, “the entire rehearsal period was just a series of riotous laughs from beginning to end, which I really do think helped our connection on stage!

“Equally, we had such a fantastic director and assistant director who let us really play with the characters, and then a crew who brought it to life.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SUSAN B. ANTHONY SOCIETY FOR THE SISTERS OF GERTRUDE STEIN?

The fantastic group have some exciting projects coming up, with Ciara working on research & development for a one-woman show, Oli (Dale) has improv and projects with The Factory, as well as some short films! Louise (Wren) is auditioning at a couple of other theatre groups, Lucy (Lulie) is doing costumes for another tower show, and Polina (Vern) is also auditioning currently.

I hope to see the talented ladies of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein again very soon, and remember all, respect the egg.

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Photo Credit: Marc Gascoigne