Punk subculture and its derivatives have always fascinated me, primarily for the incredible works of music and art it has produced; taking the power to create from media-packed corporate tune-factories and placing it into the hands of people, often lacking formal creative education. For this reason, I was hooked on Typical Girls as soon as I worked out what it was trying to do.
Following the story of an experimental program in a women's prison which aims to support inmates with rehabilitation through punk music, Typical Girls is a fun, raucous celebration of rebellion and what it really means to be 'punk'. The script is witty and quickly endears you to characters who might otherwise be offputting or even repulsive, particularly the character of Munch (played by Alison Fitzjohn), who's performance effectively incapsulates childlike chaos mixed with real, fathomable heart. The stage design plays to its symbolic strengths - the whole of the performance takes place in the same room, where a number of instruments quickly transition from being piled into a plastic box reminiscent of toys in a nursery to a choreographed, performative set up for the band established by the inmates. The scene is always overshadowed by a set of doors, symbolising detention and isolation. We sometimes hear shouting and ruckus from beyond the doors however, like the characters, are left in the same four walls, really helping to draw out the pathos of the ultimate rebellion as the characters come together to perform and really stick it to the man. After witnessing the tedium of the prison facility and the powerful, raw emotiveness of the characters (each of whom is given the opportunity to deliver a vulnerable, mind's eye monologue), we are truly ready to see them fight back and celebrate what gives them their joy.
A clever script that might otherwise be missable is elevated to epic heights by a fantastic cast of performers who give their all not only in tender character moments, but captivating musical performances that really sell just what it is that is so fun about punk.
Lucy Ellinson in Typical Girls, Photography by Helen Murray
Comments
quite detailed and overall professional review, love how you talked about all aspects of the show
A very well worded and professional review of the production, taking into account many aspects of the play from morals, references, characters, and the usage of the set itself. :)