The Children’s Hour, written by Lillian Hellman, is devastating in all the right ways. Tiny Dog Productions and Dead Fly Productions, together with the Old Fitz Theatre, have resurrected this controversial, 90-year-old play because it is as scarily relevant now as it was back then.
Written and debuting in 1934, The Children’s Hour was marked by controversy in its initial run. One of the first female-authored plays to succeed on Broadway, The Children’s Hour was seriously considered for the 1934-35 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. However, a Pulitzer committee member refused to see it due to its allusions to homosexuality. The play’s thematic elements also led to a difficult transition off-Broadway, as many areas of the country were less receptive to the play in the 1930s.
Despite these challenges, The Children’s Hour, which was based on a true story, has gone on to receive critical acclaim and continues to be widely staged. This is in large part due to the continued relevance of its themes including the insidious nature of lies and the way that they have the potential to ruin lives.
Hellman’s play was inspired by the 1810 true story of two Edinburgh school teachers, Miss Marianne Woods and Miss Jane Pirie. Their lives were destroyed when one of their students accused them of engaging in a sexual relationship. In the Scottish case, they eventually won their suit, although that did not change the devastation wrought on their lives.
Emelia Simcox’s simplistic set design with Russell Carey’s statement faded, floral skim backdrop beautifully creates the word of the boarding school. Diligent lighting shifts by Jimi Rawlings coupled with Michael Huxley’s sound design perfectly highlight when the lie is first told and later passed on. Hannah Yardley’s costumes define each character well, representing their inner worlds with their outerwear and shift to reflect their respective regression or progression by the play’s end.
The immensely talented cast brings the show together. Romney Hamilton and Jess Bell exceptionally perform tender teachers whose lives have been turned upside down. Jess Bell’s delivery of the line, “She told the lie with an ounce of truth,” is hauntingly poetic.
Annie Byron and Deborah Jones delightfully relish their delectably pompous roles. Mike Booth masterfully plays a grounded and well-adjusted doctor and fiancé. The final scene between him and Karen brought me to tears.
Kim Clifton exceptionally portrays the narcissistic, maniacal, manipulative, Mary, and Sarah Ballantyne expertly performed her doe-eyed, naive, terrified Rosalie. The moment when Mary forces Rosaline to swear fealty to her alone, and then later, Mary uses that to conjure up the fatal accusation, blackmailing her to go along with it, is heartbreaking.
Director Kim Hardwick says in the program: “I hope [audiences] go home and look up the meaning of the word morality and reflect on its current value in today’s society.” The Oxford Dictionary defines morality as: ‘the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour.’
The Children’s Hour is a formidable dramatic experience that tackles this dilemma head-on and will have you leaving the theatre asking more from yourselves and others. Having sold out the first four shows, you’ll want to get in quick before they close on March 1st!
The Children’s Hour is on now until 1 March 2025 at the Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street Woolloomooloo, 2011.
Tickets: https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/book-now
Website: https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/the-childrens-hour
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/oldfitztheatre/
Photo credits: Phil Erbacher
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