Renowned production ‘What Girls Are Made Of’ by Cora Bissett leaves you psyched up, ready to take on the world and kick it’s arse! Produced by Raw Materials and Traverse Theatre Company and directed by award winning director Orla O’Loughlin this production asks what knowledge can we pass onto future generations? It urges you to take your life into your own hands and use your power to make life what you want it to be! No matter what lessons you may have to learn along the way.
It’s the early 90s. In a small town in Fife, a girl is desperate to get out into the world. An ad in the local paper declares: Band Seeks Singer. Grunge has gone global, indie kids are inheriting the earth, and a schoolgirl from Glenrothes is catapulted to a rock star lifestyle as the singer in a hot new indie band. Touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur, she was living the dream. Until she wasn’t. Based on her meticulously detailed teenage diaries, this is the true story of Cora Bissett’s rollercoaster journey from the girl she was to the woman she wanted to be.
Cora Bissett on stage has an all engulfing comfortability, her relaxed stance makes you feel as though you are being welcomed into her home. She uses excellent rhythmic changes to take you through the paces of the show, expertly guiding you through each twist and turn of her life – wringing you through the motions. Cora exudes energy, her punk days are not over as she rocks the energy of the auditorium with her wonderful vocal ability. The writing, being autobiographical allows her to truly delve in and share some of the hardships she has endured, her vulnerability leaves not a dry eye in the audience as we watch Cora celebrate her triumphs through her hardship. Women leaving the auditorium seemed to have a fire lit underneath them, a hunger to conquer their world.
Harry Ward’s vocal ability was a highlight of the production for me, his ability to distinguish his characters seemed so effortless. His musical ability of course, was equally as impressive. Each of his characters had been well thought out, with little room for error. If a versatile actor is what you are looking for you need look no further than Ward. His portrayal of Bissett’s mother was heart-warming, familiar and a key part of the emotive force of the performance.
Simon Donaldson’s great strength was his physicality, his heightened use of facial expressions as well as his use of accents brought real interest to his characters. From lead guitarist, father, and grunge punk performers he did not miss a mark. His ability to embody the heartbroken almost lost expression which we see within people who are diagnosed with alzheimer’s or dementia was astounding and particularly powerful, though his delivery of the text was humorous, the audience couldn’t help but feel empathetic towards him.
Cathryn Archer what a badass drummer! Cathryn really brings the rock and roll with her excellent drumming skills, her drumming also acts as musical interludes to introduce a change of pace within the performance. Catheryn doesn’t take on as many roles within the performance, however, her portrayal of youthful innocence is particularly playful. She captures a vulnerability, representing young women ambitiously, though carefully, navigating the world.
Orla O’Loughlin’s direction creates a punchy, rock and roll good time! It allows the story to be told at a steady pace, fine tuning the parts of Bissett’s life to decipher what makes the most impact on the audience. Her use of minimalist staging allows the storytelling to be at the forefront and shine. The use of the band playing multiple roles adds an exciting and fun element for the audience to enjoy. This makes the story transition easily between the chapters of Bissetts life. The performance has a strong ephemeral feel, encouraging people to prevail. The lighting and set of the production is visually simplistic but it looks cool and current. The use of the lighting changes the atmosphere of the piece. The performance also uses reverb and smoke machines to create an intense, sensory stimulating experience.
What Girls Are Made Of is an extraordinary autobiographical piece of theatre which at its core inspires women to take matters into their own hands. Through tales of loss, grief and motherhood this performance leaves a footprint on the audience’s heart and who can imagine the ripple effect it will have on society with the inspiration those take from it. As a mother, my goal in life is to do what I can to give my daughter the world she deserves. This performance lit a fire in me to make it happen so that I can teach her how to do the same.
‘What Girls Are Made Of’ is running at the Music Hall at the Assembly Room’s on August 8th, 10-13th, 15-20th and 22-27th at 13:00 Grab your tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/what-girls-are-made-of
Theatre Scotland 
Leave a comment