In a Catholic reformatory in 1914, three teenage girls (Anne, Theresa and Lucy) pass the time with games of truth or dare and playful rituals, though they’re innocent of the “sinful” nature of their act. Then a new girl, Joan, shows up, bearing illegal contraband: Birth control materials. Thus begins a decent into a fantasy world created within the four walls of their bedroom.
Directed by Nicholas Pavan as his directorial debut, What Every Girl Should know was performed as a part of the 2024 Sydney Fringe Festival at Flightpath Theatre. The show received critical acclaim for Pavan's directing and the actors profound connection to the material.
Reviews:
"What Every Girl Should Know requires demanding and courageous performances from the actresses, who are on stage for an hour and a half, with no intermission. Each delivers, showing depth in her performance." - Bacchus at the Theatre
"Skillfully directed by Nicholas Pavan, Cats in the Cupboard doesn’t shy away from hard hitting drama. The confronting play is a reminder that women have a say in this world and should be continuously educated about their sexual rights and reproductive rights. It’s a human right to say what goes on with your body. All of which are just as prevalent in our society today as they were in 1914." - Bacchus at the Theatre
"[Mikaela] Corrigan’s overall performance should be commended for its subtlety and emotional depth." - Honi Soit
"[Mia] McMenamin and [Katelin] Divall’s deep emotional access was specifically hard-hitting." - ATYP (Australian Theatre For Young People"
"As Joan, Alice Mahoney leans into her real-life country roots to bring a character who is vibing differently to the other girls, and they tacitly pick up on this." - Sydney Theatre Reviews
