Type – Spoken Word, Female Dynamics
If you liked – Prima Facie, When the Rain Stops Falling
Contest: A gripping female ensemble netball drama exploring rivalry, connection, and resilience
On a wet and windy evening in Sydney, stepping into Flight Path Theatre feels like entering a quietly bohemian pocket of the city’s theatre scene. The welcome is warm, friendly – a fitting prelude to Contest, a play that unfolds entirely on a netball court with five women at its centre.
Written by Emilie Collyer, Contest brings together characters defined by their positions – WA, GA, C, GD and GS – each embodying not just a role on the court, but a perspective shaped by life beyond it. As someone who grew up loving netball, I was immediately drawn in. The rules – no running with the ball, no contact, strict positional boundaries – mirror the constraints these women navigate in their personal lives.
The play’s strength lies in its physicality and authenticity. The actors convincingly bring the sport to life through stretches, lunges, and precise passing, while layering dialogue that reveals their inner worlds. Despite the female rivalry between players, there are genuine moments of connection – one character brings a box of cheese bread to share with the team, a small gesture that grounds the ensemble in warmth and camaraderie.
Willa King (Goal Attack) is particularly notable, her beautiful booming voice captivating the audience and adding richness to her performance. There are also intimate conversations about female struggles: being a mother and a woman, a lawyer balancing career and life, or navigating sport with a physical disability – all highlighting empathy, understanding, and resilience.
Contest also touches on disability and what it means to participate in sport and life with physical challenges. There are beautiful tableau moments where time stops, shifting focus to another character to tell their story, allowing audiences to absorb emotional depth and complexity. Jason Lowe‘s simple yet effective set design makes you feel like you are watching women preparing to play a real game of netball, while the teamwork and passing on stage reflect genuine collaboration.
Is Contest Worth Seeing in Sydney?
While the premise is compelling and the performances admirable, Contest leaves you wanting more. The ending feels abrupt, as though the emotional threads woven throughout are not fully resolved. Still, it offers an engaging, thought-provoking look at female relationships, rivalry, and connection, using the netball court as both stage and metaphor. Even within structured rules, human dynamics remain fluid, messy, and deeply revealing.
Tickets and Practical Info for Contest in Sydney 🎟️
Directed by Kristy Seamaan. Presented by Space Jump Theatre
Written by Emilie Collyer
Flight Path Theatre, Marrickville
Season: 17 – 28 March, 2026
Tickets: Available at www.flightpaththeatre.org
