Strong is the New Pretty: Suzie Miller’s new play celebrates the women who fought for a place in AFL
The esteemed playwright offers a funny and thought-provoking look at how the AFL women’s competition became a reality.
Brisbane Festival kicks off with Suzie Miller's new play, Strong is the New Pretty, a celebration of the women who fought for the establishment of the Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) competition. The world premiere at Brisbane's Playhouse theatre captivated audiences with incisive observations about the challenges faced by players, coaches, and advocates in securing the first professional season of the AFLW.
The play is loosely based on the lives of three central figures, portrayed by Alison Newtown (Lucy Bell), Jane Hooper (Tara Morice), and Bev Heath (Bev Heath).
The opening scene sets the stage with a total blackout and the sounds of children playing football, as one girl pleads, "kick it to me!" The play then transitions into three monologues, supported by an energetic ensemble that serves as a Greek chorus, highlighting the misogyny faced by women in the AFL hierarchy and society at large. The ensemble's performance showcases the discrimination women encounter, both on and off the field.
Bell's Alison faces sexual discrimination as a lawyer while strategizing for gender equality on the field, while Morice's Jane embodies the triumph of a previously excluded girl who achieves her dreams through patience and determination. Heath, played by McMahon, demonstrates the complexities of balancing a full-time job, parenting, and professional training, often working double the hours of her male counterparts.
The ensemble cast skillfully transitions between characters and historic moments, guided by bold white surtitles for non-sports fans to understand the storyline. Produced by the Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions, Strong is the New Pretty uses a combination of broad physical theatre, caricature, and collective clowning to tell a fast-paced and entertaining story. At its core, the play is both an entertaining romp and a thought-provoking commentary on social issues.
One particularly notable scene depicts the announcement of the first Adelaide Crows squad in 2017, with fictionalized versions of the players' daily lives, illustrating the challenges of working full-time and parenting while also dedicating time to professional training. A highlight of the play is the physical recreation of Tayla Harris' 2019 kick, which sparked misogynistic online trolling.
Harris' impressive kick is memorialized on stage by an actor frozen in a vertical split, while a team member strategically holds her leg up in the air. As the audience celebrates the athlete's extraordinary athleticism, a comically narrated news report chronicles the sexist backlash against Harris.
Miller masterfully uses satire to expose the gendered prejudice in public discourse, turning the play into more than just a history lesson. It demonstrates how women can unite to challenge discrimination in male-dominated environments and showcases their courage and determination in bringing about lasting change. Strong is the New Pretty will be touring nationally from September 24 to December 5, visiting Canberra, Geelong, and Sydney.
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