REBELS WITH A CAUSE
Elmwood tells story of Blue Stockings
Show #11: Blue Stockings Where: Elmwood School Director: Angela Boychuk Marisha Boyd, Critic All Saints High School
Who runs the world? Girls, obviously! But in the late 1800s, this was not the case in any academic setting. With a touch of lace and a hint of betrayal, Elmwood School’s heart-wrenching production of Blue Stockings reminds audiences just how much women sacrificed to receive not only higher education, but the respect of society.
This drama, published in 2013 by Jessica Swale, centres on a group of intelligent young women who aspire to be scientists in a world where women are expected to tend to the home, not school books.
As protagonist Tess Moffat arrives at the renowned Cambridge University, she’s thrown headfirst into a world of discrimination, prejudice and forbidden love. These determined women, known as the unmarriageable and unnatural “Blue Stockings,” are faced with numerous hurdles as they attempt to be treated as equals alongside their cocky male counterparts.
But, these headstrong women are prepared to do anything for an education — even if it means destroying their futures.
Sophia Swettenham played the role of strong-willed Tess with grace and energy, moving across the stage with boundless confidence. She balanced naiveté and confidence with ease, all while delivering heart-wrenching soliloquies in a consistent British accent.
Opposite her, Laurent Sayer embodied the loyal Will Bennet to a tee, complete with booming voice and gentle mannerisms. The two showed immense depth as their relationship developed from childhood friends to lovers, every shy glance and lingering touch lending to an extremely believable chemistry.
As Tess’s study group and support system, Lucy Whichelo and Tara Rida dominated the stage with their friendly banter and emotional versatility.
Maya Mainland- Gratton breathed life into the sassy yet studious Celia through the use of ladylike mannerisms and delicate movements.
Eleanor Duffley (Elizabeth Welsh) unwrapped many layers of her character during the one intense fight scene, where she transitioned from strict matron to vulnerable woman within seconds. The rowdy group of Trinity College boys added much-needed comic relief, as they were constantly fooling around and playing jokes on each other. Although these male characters were played by women, their slouchy posture and wide stance made their portrayal extremely effective.
The accurate sound effects added to the atmosphere in every scene, whether it was crickets chirping at night or a slow ballad during an emotional soliloquy.
Flashlights were used to imitate stars, enthralling the audience as the lights danced gracefully across the stage.
A variety of props were used to immerse the actors in Victorian England, ranging from lacy white umbrellas to detailed journals. Stage managers Isabelle Collum and Lily-Anne Villemaire didn’t miss a beat, ensuring every costume, prop and set change occurred without fault.
Each costume was perfectly suited to the character, ranging from long Victorian gowns for the women to well-tailored vests for the men. Tess’s skirt stood out, as it shimmered from green to purple with every delicate movement.
Not even Newton’s Laws of Physics, nor Kepler’s astronomical theories, could explain the boundless energy and passion these actors displayed on stage.
Elmwood’s cast and crew’s attention to detail and evident dedication to their production would have made the rebellious Blue Stockings of the 1890s immensely proud.