Julia returns to Canberra for another smash season

Posted on 26 July, 2024

Everyone remembers where they were the day former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard uttered the words that would rock the nation – and the world.

“I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the Government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever.”

These four stirring sentences became part of one of the most memorable moments in Australian political history – a blistering monologue on sexism and misogyny that resonated far beyond the walls of Parliament House.

It’s no wonder that Julia – a critically acclaimed theatre production that dives into who Julia Gillard was behind the public mask – was such a smash hit in 2023. And over a year after its debut on Canberra’s stage, Julia is returning to where it all began.

Showered with critical adoration in response to smash-hit seasons in Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne, Julia combines female powerhouses in playwright Joanna Murray-Smith, director Sarah Goodes, and actors Justine Clarke and Jessica Bentley.

Showing at the Canberra Theatre Centre from Wednesday 31 July until Sunday 11 August, the second run is an unmissable chance to see Justine Clarke step into Prime Minister Gillard’s shoes to share the stirring story of one woman who changed history.

“It was utterly terrifying when we opened because Parliament was sitting, and we knew that lots of people who knew Julia would be coming. It was the world premiere, so it had never been done before,” says Sarah.

“We didn’t know how audiences would respond to it…to be able to bring it back when it’s been developed, it’s grown and it’s percolated with these two wonderful performers, it’s a real treat.”

Presenting an exhilarating performance that re-examines key moments in Prime Minister Gillard’s life – culminating in a verbatim performance of the ‘misogyny speech’ –  Julia is not a dramatic reflection on Julia Gillard’s tenure. Instead, as Sarah explains, Joanna Murray-Smith taps into her untold story and critically examines the experience of women in power.

Reflecting on the moment she heard it for herself over 10 years ago, the director says that she remembers her shock that the then Prime Minister was so blatantly calling out the sexism in Australian politics.

“Julia has talked a lot about this in some of the speeches she’s given but there’s a lot of women in my generation that felt guilty that they didn’t stand up for her or acknowledge what she achieved at the time,” says Sarah.

“I was unable to see what it [the speech] was going to become…when we look at how society has treated women in political positions or positions of power, it’s important, interesting, and fascinating to look at that from a distance. I think that this 10-year distance is significant,”

Exploring the journey to the speech – from the passion to the rage – and the force of the wave that resulted from the crash, with people from every generation still quoting the misogyny speech over a decade later, the fascination of its impact isn’t disappearing anytime soon.

And Sarah believes there’s one simple reason it still resonates: “It was the dismantling of the way women have been treated in their position in society.”

“When you’re battling against that change, you usually have to stand up and scream and shout to be heard, whereas she was contained, she was precise, she was strong, and she was exhilarating,” she says.

“I think that’s what was so significant about it – she didn’t get angry. She was super smart, super controlled, clever, and funny. It was coming from the ground, up.”

Photography: Prudence Upton.