Sunday Arts Magazine

24 May 2021

Betty at Theatreworks

Uncategorized

Set in Rose’s new house in a retirement village the two-hander play explores the story of a complex and unfiltered mother/daughter relationship, during a time when a mother’s inhibitions are being compromised by her decline into dementia. Although their bond isn’t close, the daughter finds herself in a challenging position trying to care for her. 

Directed by Julian Dibley-Hall and starring Jules Allen and Iris Walshe-Howling, Allen’s work is deeply truthful and nuanced. ‘Betty’ marks her fourth play, after her 2019 masterpiece ‘Slipped Through the Cracks’ where she was described by Australian Playwright, Hannie Rayson as “a playwright with enormous potential”.  

Starring alongside Allen in this production is multi-awarding winning actor and director, Iris Walshe-Howling. Active in the Melbourne Independent theatre scene since the late sixties when she was an ensemble member of the infamous La Mama Company, Iris has worked with numerous companies including as a founding ensemble member of The Contemporary Performance Centre, actor with Crow’s Bar Cabaret, performer with Australian Theatre Company Back To Back.  

Exiting a long break from acting to take on the role of mother ‘Rose’, Iris is rekindling her performance relationship with Allen, having directed Allen’s first play ‘Slipped Through the Cracks’ in 2019.  

For Allen, the importance of family has always rung true; having fostered over 32 children as a single mother and adopted three after the birth of her own son. As a Social Scientist and advocate for human rights, ‘Betty’ is no different to Allen’s aesthetic, as this story is one that rings very close to home and opens with some very honest storytelling. 

‘Betty’ is a story for families. Allen spoke about the play having something for everyone, as the story is extremely relatable on many levels to many audience members. 

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