The birth and death of Margery Hopegood

She Danced On A Friday Bats Theatre, until September 15 Reviewed by Eleanor Wenman

Margery Hopegood, an English tourist on a journey to find her Kiwi birth parents, was brutally murdered in a Hamilton toilet block in 1992.

She’d been in the country just four days – the first time since she’d left years ago as a baby.

She Danced On A Friday traces Hopegood’s birth and death and is told through the eyes of Margery’s birth mother, her temporary mother and Margery herself.

From the moment Nicola Pauling steps on stage for her one-woman show, her own link to Margery shines through: she was a family friend of the Hopegoods and spoke to Margery by phone the day before she died.

Using a simple set and music from Matt Hutton, Pauling traces Margery’s journey from a baby girl to a solicitor, restless in life and curious about her birthplace.

The play was written based on extensive interviews with Margery’s birth and adopted families. Every line carries the authentic emotion of those who loved her most. Pauling jumps from character to character seamlessly – lighting and music help distinguish whether it’s Margery, her birth mother or her temporary mother speaking, but Pauling’s talent as an actress and subtle shifts in her body language bring out each character individually.

Songs and music are woven throughout the play and the use of a tape deck, paused halfway through the last song Margery listened to – I Don’t Wanna Talk About It by Rod Stewart – delivers a gut punch.

The show brought more than one audience member to tears towards the end, as the tragedy of Margery’s death is brought to the forefront of the audience, as well as the shattered families left behind when she was murdered.

Within the play, however, are sparkles of hope and redemption, as key players confront their choices in life. As well, there are small moments of laughter.

She Danced On A Friday is well worth a watch, whether you’re familiar with Margery’s story or not. Pauling approaches a difficult subject with tenderness and care.

The audience can’t help but be drawn in by the strength of each character and when the emotional punches come towards the end, it’s authentic and honest.