IF WE ARE WOMEN

	IF WE ARE WOMEN Directed by Tom Billinghurst Wednesday 16^th November – Saturday 19^th November 2005
	Jessica, a writer approaching middle age, her mother Ruth (who is unable to read or write) and her Jewish mother-in-law, Rachel, find themselves emotionally stranded in Jessica's beachfront home in Connecticut. Jessica's lover of several years has died suddenly and Ruth and Rachel have come to offer comfort. As they wait for Polly, Jessica's daughter, to return from a high school dance of the previous night, they weigh the choices each have made as women, as daughters, as mothers. Recollections of guilt and regret are punctuated by wry observations on sex, history, ideas and their relationships with the men in their lives. I found this play quite by chance whilst investigating other writings that would fit in at Rustington and quickly became fascinated by the challenge it presented. Challenges for the actors to create four distinct personalities from different cultures and backgrounds, linked by the common themes of being women and of being required to conform to society's expectations, and for the technicians to create and maintain the illusion of a beachfront home on Long Island Sound. The play is a delight, fusing regret and humour with a keenly observed commentary on the human condition and is offered to Eileen in celebration of twenty years in the prompt corner. Tom Billinghurst

Directed by Tom Billinghurst

Wednesday 16^th November – Saturday 19^th November 2005

Jessica, a writer approaching middle age, her mother Ruth (who is unable to read or write) and her Jewish mother-in-law, Rachel, find themselves emotionally stranded in Jessica's beachfront home in Connecticut.

Jessica's lover of several years has died suddenly and Ruth and Rachel have come to offer comfort.

As they wait for Polly, Jessica's daughter, to return from a high school dance of the previous night, they weigh the choices each have made as women, as daughters, as mothers.

Recollections of guilt and regret are punctuated by wry observations on sex, history, ideas and their relationships with the men in their lives.

I found this play quite by chance whilst investigating other writings that would fit in at Rustington and quickly became fascinated by the challenge it presented.

Challenges for the actors to create four distinct personalities from different cultures and backgrounds, linked by the common themes of being women and of being required to conform to society's expectations, and for the technicians to create and maintain the illusion of a beachfront home on Long Island Sound.

The play is a delight, fusing regret and humour with a keenly observed commentary on the human condition and is offered to Eileen in celebration of twenty years in the prompt corner.

Tom Billinghurst