This production had just about everything I yearn to see in a show.
Written by Suzie Miller (whom I truly believe can do no wrong), Strong Is The New Pretty follows the story of the birth of the AFLW: the obstacles, the hope and the camaraderie that led to women’s (much too late) inclusion in the professional league.
Consider this a petition to add an M on the men’s AFL. Women have been playing Australian rules football for well over a century, yet opportunities to participate in organised competitions, let alone professional ones, were sporadic and hard-won. It wasn’t until 2010 that an official review recommended the creation of a national women’s competition. Through sheer determination, advocacy, and passion, that dream became a reality in 2017, when eight teams took to the field for the inaugural AFLW season. It was a long-overdue moment of recognition and a challenge to the deeply entrenched idea that certain spaces, sports and opportunities belong predominantly to men.
This is precisely where Miller’s storytelling shines. While ostensibly about the formation of a football league, this is a story about gender equality, visibility, representation and the courage required to challenge the status quo. It’s about women fighting for opportunities that men have long been able to take for granted.
The production is an absolute triumph of direction (Sarah Giles) and movement (Kelley Abbey). It is fabulously dynamic, the kind of theatrical physicality that only works when it’s done exceptionally well. The cast of eight (Lucy Bell, Edyll, Amy Hack, Amy Ingram, Amber McMahon, Tara Morice, Nyasha Ogden and Contessa Treffone) are all incredibly articulate in their actions, seamlessly shifting between characters and scenes.
Their physicality is not confined to the football field, but becomes an ingenious storytelling device throughout. One particular example that had the audience cackling was their portrayal of the male AFL commissioners, with the actors leaning into exaggerated, crotch-forward postures and punctuating conversations with gratuitous coughing and throat-clearing. Absurdly recognisable.
Equally engaging is the way the ensemble brings to life the everyday worlds of the women selected for the team. We move through their various day jobs, from hairdressers and teachers, to midwives, and grovery workers, with the actors transforming between characters and environments with remarkable fluidity. These sequences remind us that these women weren’t simply footballers; they were mothers, colleagues, professionals and members of their communities, squeezing their sporting ambitions into already full lives. The transitions are wonderfully seamless, creating a cohesive, synchronised ensemble that never loses its energy or momentum.
Visually, it’s an absolute treat. The lighting, sound and design combine to create something incredibly polished and satisfying. Paul Jackson’s lighting is right on the mark (pun intended), combining bright, stadium-style floodlights with movable key-light stands for the interview scenes. The sound design (Brady Watkins & Clemence Williams), including the amplified breathwork, adds another layer of physical immediacy, drawing the audience into the energy of the action. Every technical element feels considered and purposeful, without ever overwhelming the storytelling.
I particularly loved the use of graphics (Craig Wilkinson) throughout, with headings taking us from The Dream to The Commission, The Coach, The Team and The Grand Final. The playful imagery, scoreboards and even a little Sheriff football bouncing around the screen added a delightful visual whimsy. These touches gave the production a distinctive personality, cleverly borrowing from the language and aesthetics of sport while keeping the theatrical experience fresh and inventive.
And while the subject matter is undeniably important, Strong is the New Pretty never feels like a lecture. It is entertaining, funny, moving and, at times, infuriating in all the right ways. It celebrates the joy of sport and the power of community while refusing to shy away from the inequities that made this fight necessary in the first place.
Ultimately, Strong Is The New Pretty is about women being seen, heard and valued, and the extraordinary things that can be achieved when they fight for a dream together. Sleek and spirited, this is contemporary theatre that visually entertains while leaving a lasting impression. It is a celebration of a game, a community and a cultural revolution. Loved it!
