Casting Off | A Good Catch
This beautifully presented, articulate, masterful, whimsical performance has everything and more. I can see why it has received awards and growing acclaim. It is understated yet awe-inspiring, simple yet profound.
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The offerings from the three characters – wise and affectionate are light and funny. You feel that every new piece of dialogue has the relatable insight of 1000 generations of women behind it. The experiences of our daughters, mothers and grandmothers as workers, parents, wives, sisters and their wins and hardships portrayed, and how women’s business is richer for the support of other women.
All of these missives and popular references are emphasised by weaving bodies culminating in physical acts of pure strength and agility. Expect tumbling, flying trapeze and feats of daring. Casting Off is a feminist critique without a heavy socio-political sledging yet it is there, nuanced in their soliloquys, sometimes singular and then overlapping into escalation. The show is a perfect blend of curating your emotional landscape throughout it. You will definitely agree that everything starts and ends at a kitchen table.
Sitting in the Powerhouse theatre, I thought about all the Vulcana Women’s Circus shows that I had seen in the 90’s and early 2000’s. It really brought home how fundamental women’s circus is as a tool for building community and showing how the sum of all parts belies this. Women’s circus in particular, provides a platform for generations of women performers to continue this legacy and in many instances, women's circus has weathered numerous challenges by deflecting the undervaluing this space has experienced and then come out the other end stronger and fiercer with the recognition it deserves.
So many internationally successful performers have come through small companies, and this isn't by mistake but by our wise elders who through their passion, enable these platforms to exist. The nature of the collective feminine, ‘women are strong and powerful’ is easily recognisable and welcomed. I am so thankful for these parallels Casting Off brings home for me.
If you have ever eaten miso on toast, tofu and struggled to remember things, postulating dating and need to read the ethical slut or have wondered why church and state are not separate in parliament, or just a reminder that nothing’s off limits when a bunch of women are together. I want you all to see Casting Off. Don’t miss this show. It is absolutely without doubt, is a must see show and you will be left thinking about it for days after. PS - buy the tea towel.
