image of person or book cover 2269035916150998224.jpg
This image has been sourced from Booktopia
y separately published work icon The Female of the Species single work   drama   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 2006... 2006 The Female of the Species
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Thirty years ago Margot Mason, pioneer of the 1970s Women's Liberation movement and fearless academic, wrote her groundbreaking work and numerous best-sellers followed. Now she has writer's block. Molly, an unannounced visitor and committed fan of Margot and her work, offers a potential solution - until Molly produces a gun and calmly informs Margot that she intends to kill her because she blames her for warping her mother's mind and ruining her life with her hit book The Cerebral Vagina.

'Joanna Murray-Smith's deliciously wicked comedy deftly walks the tightrope between satire and farce proving the female of the species is not only deadlier, but funnier than the male.

This play 'was inspired by Germaine Greer's experience of being held captive in her country house in Essex in 2000'. (Publisher's blurb)

Production Details

  • First produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, 26 August to 30 September 2006. Season directed by Patrick Nolan with Sue Ingleton in the lead role.
  • First produced in the United Kingdom at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, 16 July - 4 October 2008. Directed by Roger Michell with Eileen Atkins in the lead role.
  • Season due to be produced in the United States of America (USA) in 2008. However the play was first produced in the USA at the Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles, 10 February - 14 March, 2010. Directed by Randall Arney with Annette Bening in the lead role.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2006
    • Strawberry Hills, Inner Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,: Currency Press , 2008 .
      image of person or book cover 2269035916150998224.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Booktopia
      Extent: ix, 60p.p.
      Note/s:
      • Includes Introduction by the playwright.
      ISBN: 9780868198255 (pbk.)
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Nick Hern Books ,       2009 .
      image of person or book cover 3920339215619852609.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Book Depository
      Extent: 80p.
      Note/s:
      • Published 1 June 2009
      ISBN: 9781854595225
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

You Can't Please All of the People All of the Time Bryce Hallett , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13 April 2010; (p. 9)
Melbourne Playwright Named for London Prize 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 5 February 2009; (p. 15)
Playing against the Odds Peter Craven , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 28 February 2009; (p. 17-18)
Theatrics Leave All but Greer Amused Brigid Delaney , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 18 July 2008; (p. 7)
Germaine Lacks Humility Bev Green , 2008 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The Australian , 15 July 2008; (p. 13)
The Female of the Species Bill Perrett , 2006 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 10 September 2006; (p. 35)
— Review of The Female of the Species Joanna Murray-Smith , 2006 single work drama
Untitled Chris Boyd , 2006 single work review
— Appears in: Herald Sun , 1 September 2006; (p. 89)
— Review of The Female of the Species Joanna Murray-Smith , 2006 single work drama
Intruder Ransacks Feminist Agenda Thuy On , 2006 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 1 September 2006; (p. 19)
— Review of The Female of the Species Joanna Murray-Smith , 2006 single work drama
Two Women Matching Wits Philippa Hawker , 2006 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 29 August 2006; (p. 14)
— Review of The Female of the Species Joanna Murray-Smith , 2006 single work drama
Girls Who Wanna Have Fun Douglas Kennedy , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 3 February 2008; (p. 14)
— Review of The Female of the Species Joanna Murray-Smith , 2006 single work drama
Melbourne Playwright Delights in Symmetry of Star Bening's Broadway Return for Her Comedy Jo Roberts , 2007 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 16 June 2007; (p. 3)
Annette Bening Set to Revisit Broadway after Two Decades Campbell Robertson , 2007 single work column
— Appears in: The New York Times , 15 June 2007; (p. 2)
Hostage to the F-Word Alison Barclay , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: Herald Sun , 30 August 2006; (p. 51)
Feminism's Farcical Side Catherine Lambert , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: Sunday Herald Sun , 27 August 2006; (p. 18)
Feminism,: You Just Have to Laugh Samela Harris , 2007 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 22 September 2007; (p. 8)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (19)

Awards

2009 nominated Olivier Awards — Best New Comedy Nominated for the 2008 UK production at the Vaudeville Theatre.
VIEW ALL AWARDS (1)
Last amended 24 Aug 2020 10:04:27
Subjects:
Newspapers:
    Powered by Trove
    X