Review: Some Woman (Dorfman Theatre)
Review by Daz Gale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There has always been a wave of excitement when it comes to new productions at National Theatre, with the recent announcement of their 2027 showing no signs of slowing down. They still have a handful of shows left to open this year, however, with Cloud 9 and The Jungle Book opening next month. This week it was the turn of the Dorfman Theatre to open its doors for its latest offering, the world premiere of new play Some Woman. National Theatre’s most intimate and versatile of its three theatre spaces, this one seems to be the most consistent when it comes to quality programming, with this show following in the footsteps of a contender for the musical of the year - the incredible Pride. Would Some Woman be worthy of the space it takes up? As you can probably tell from the rating at the top, the answer is a resounding yes.
Some Woman centres on one seemingly ordinary woman, Julie Robson. Going through a divorce, struggling to form connections with her two adult daughters and being passed up for a promotion at work, Julie has gotten used to being overlooked. However, that all changes when she receives some unwanted attention at a station platform, with the seemingly inconsequential interaction escalating unexpectedly in a way that could change Julie’s life forever.
Written by Helen Edmundson, Some Woman manages to pack a lot into its lengthy singular act. Edmundson expertly weaves a narrative of a chain reaction starting from an experience with a rude child that will be all too familiar to many in attendance. What is far less common or even expected is where the events lead, with Edmundson carefully unravelling the story one layer at a time to reveal a multifaceted story that continuously reveals hidden themes and even more depth, astonishingly so.
This is the kind of play where the less you know about it, the better your response will be. I wouldn’t dare to spoil any of the twists and turns for anyone, but suffice to say the story moves into areas I didn’t expect, with one particularly tense and uncomfortable scene near the show’s climax literally leaving me on the edge of my seat. When theatre is done right, it creates a strong connection with the audience, and I can’t remember the last time I experienced a response quite like this one. People in neighbouring seats to mine had visceral reactions, with audible sobs heard throughout. There was the sense that people were relating Julie’s experience to their own - I believe that is the sign of an incredible writer, and what Edmundson has achieved here is nothing short of magnificent.
At its heart, Some Woman is a show about women - not some women but all women, and the struggles they have to go through, often unheard or unnoticed. A powerful moment comes as Julie recounts all of the abuse she has experienced in her life and how frustratingly common those experiences are amongst women. There is also the expectation that she should just keep quiet, and her defiant refusal to do what others are telling her feels very timely and thought-provoking, given the fight women are still having to do for their rights in the world. Themes involving the Manosphere and toxic masculinity draw comparisons to the TV series Adolescence, but telling a story that is similar in some ways through the perspective of the victim is an inspired touch and one that rightfully puts the woman front and centre.
One aspect of Edmundson’s writing I particularly loved was the occasional ambiguous nature of it. This is not a show that explicitly lays off what has happened in the past or indeed what is happening now in a way that is clear, instead asking the audience to use their imagination to fill in the gaps. It can almost be a “Choose your own adventure” type of play, but that freedom to wonder what may have happened in certain situations makes the story all the more powerful and, quite literally, thought-provoking.
Edmundson’s exceptional writing is beautifully matched by Blanche McIntyre’s stellar direction. McIntyre has fast become one of my favourite directors in recent years, with a slew of five-star reviews from me under her belt, and Some Woman is another perfect example of her strengths as a director. With a great knack for bringing a story to life and finding ways to tell it with maximum impact, Some Woman sees her at her absolute best, with clear detail at every moment on when to go big and when to reign it in, ensuring the message always lands. Be that an emotional moment, one so uncomfortable and unpredictable that people daren’t not blink or breathe, or the occasional explosion, this is a production that proves faultless throughout, and much of that is down to McIntyre’s phenomenal direction.
Similarly effective is Robert Jones’ set design, initially showcasing Julie’s home against a cold, stark background. It is the scene transitions where the set really comes to life, beautifully merging into drastically different settings in an incredibly effective way. A strong use of lighting from Natasha Chivers complements this perfectly, while Ben and Max Ringham’s sound design is used to stunning effect throughout. All these elements tie together beautifully under Blanche McIntyre’s direction, bringing Helen Edmundson’s original vision to life in incredible fashion. You can always tell when all creatives involved in a production are in sync, as that is when magic is made. Whether it is the art of collaboration or creatives inspiring each other, Some Woman is a fantastic example of how perfect theatre can be when everyone has a shared vision.
Some Woman also boasts a strong cast, with Hannah Onslow and Grace Doherty giving completely different characterisations as Julie’s daughters, Kate and Ginny. The one consistency is in the standard of their performance, with Onslow having a particularly powerful moment as the play roars towards a devastatingly impactful climax. Geoffrey Streatfeild has relatively little stage time as Richard, but makes his presence felt in a refreshingly light performance, while Stephen Wight is a standout in one pivotal scene as Mr Blake. To say any more would be a spoiler, but this one scene was the peak of the show, for me - unexpected, unpredictable, unrelenting and unbelievable.
The star of the show is undoubtedly Anne-Marie Duff who delivers one of the greatest performances of the year as Julie. Her well-rounded characterisation has more layers to it than I can recall seeing in quite some time, offering practically every conceivable human emotion possible. Initially understated and fairly enigmatic as she shares her bewilderment, the chain reaction causes her to spiral with Duff ensuring her progression is always natural and never too over-the-top. This makes her bigger moments all the more powerful, but that power is still there in the quieter moments. In fact, one of the strongest moments in the show has Duff completely silent, showcasing what a gifted actor she is expressing exactly what she needs to without saying a single word. In an emotional and exhausting performance, Duff delivers a masterclass, effortlessly conveying the complexities of the situation, and all of the concerns faced by many women in the world. It is in the way everyone in the audience can recognise elements of Julie, either in themselves or someone they know that makes this story so compelling, and that is only elevated by Duff’s faultless portrayal. She really is some woman, as proven by her performance here.
Before attending this performance of Some Woman, I took part in a panel at Musical Con where I was asked if I always know my star rating when a show finishes. In the case of Some Woman, I didn’t just know this was going to be five stars when the show finished, I suspected it would reach that highest level quite early on as I found myself utterly mesmerised less than ten minutes in. This is a show that grabs you from the start, offering intrigue and intensity throughout - I wondered where the story was going to go, and could never have predicted some of the twists and turns it took. The result is a tense watch that may feel uncomfortable at times, but its raw and unflinching nature brings home the authenticity of the story. At one point in the show, a defiant Julie talks about taking up space - when it comes to Some Woman, it more than deserves the space it is taking up. This is a production that highlights important issues and inspires crucial conversations - I would urge people to see this not just for that reason, but because this is truly one of the most striking plays of the year.
Some Woman plays at the Dorfman Theatre until 21st November. Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/some-woman/
Photos by Ellie Kurttz