In the Club

An AFL club, a nightclub, a boy’s club. Domains typified by macho bravado, chest-beating and solidarity among mates until the death. Written by award-winning playwright Patricia Cornelius, In the Club is a compelling and confronting theatre piece exploring victim and perpetrator perspectives of consent, coercion and sexual violence.

Now on stage at Theatre Works, In the Club follows the story of Annie, Ruby and Olivia, each with a different lived experience when it comes to their sexual history, relationships and the way they view boisterous and cocky footy players. Annie painfully retells her fanaticism for footy and eventual violation by a player she idolised. Ruby views footy players as chiselled adonises worthy of a conquest. Olivia sees right through the red flags of a footy player. When the trio collide with three footy players intent to pick up women, get laid and share the spoils with their teammates, secrets and insecurities surface.

Inspired by the works of Anna Krien, Clementine Ford, Susan Faludi and Jessica Crispin, playwright Patricia Cornelius takes on the footy world and comments on the numerous accounts of sexual abuse. The dialogue was challenging in certain moments, and props go to the talented cast for exploring the tough subject matter.

Milk Bar attended the opening night performance and found the show thought-provoking, deep, and uncomfortable at times. Original songs by performance artist Jaguar Jonze were interspersed throughout the play to break up pertinent peaks in the narrative. They were a nice touch. Brigid Gallacher was a star taking the audience on the journey of a naïve young woman who ultimately fell for a trap and paid a grim price. As usual, Michelle Perera was a queen embodying confidence and flair. Eva Seymour flexed her vocal talents and took the lead on many of the songs. Darcy Kent played the bad boy to perfection, and Damien Harrison and Ras-Samuel did well in portraying the men who buy into the toxic world of sex and sport.

In the Club is playing at Theatre Works, St Kilda, until Saturday 11 November 2023.

In the Club
On stage until Saturday 11 November 2023
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
theatreworks.org.au/2023/in-the-club