Type – Action-packed, quirky, family connection
If you liked – Ginny & Georgia, Hans and Gret
Mama Does Derby: A larger than life and visually stunning comedy-horror that leaves you exhilarated.
The stage rumbles as 10 seasoned skaters roll around a full scale oval track in the historic Sydney Town Hall. Gearing the audience up for a night of raucous and whacky fun. Inspired by director Clare Watson’s own experiences, this show isn’t just a love letter to the tenacious sport that is Roller Derby but about the ever-constant changes that shape a family dynamic. Through Virginia Gay’s charming script, we are given the perfect backdrop to explore a special mother-daughter relationship filled with weirdness and a lot of heart.
Produced by Windmill Production Company, this show features loads of whimsical and absurdly animated elements. Despite the boisterous competitiveness of the sport, the camaraderie and inclusivity of roller derby is palpable as an outlet for live storytelling. It screams theatre.
Role-Reversal in the Parent/Child Dynamics
Fifteen-year-old Billie (Elvy-Lee Quici) and her carefree mum, Maxine (Amber McMahon) have been on the road for quite a while. You name it, they’ve done it all. From Patagonia to Costa Rica their life together has been full of adventures. But when they find themselves settling in a regional town, they must both confront their most challenging obstacle yet. Growing up.
As proud self-proclaimed oddballs, a mundane life proves naturally tricky. As Billie goes through school, making friends, and getting her driver’s license we see her riddled with anxiety and the chaos of the world. While free-spirited Maxine moves through life vivaciously and somewhat irresponsibly – whether that be her job, dating Dave (Dylan Miller), and her hobbies – almost as if she was running from something. After finding a pair of roller skates, she decides to join the town’s local derby league.
Quici and McMahon’s performances heightens the intriguing role-reversed parent-child relationship their characters have. Billie is treated as an adult by Maxine based on mutual openness and respect, but she inadvertently feels burdened by responsibility. She confides in Hux (Aud Mason-Hyde), a sarcastic, rebellious, and sympathetic friend who cheers her up with the best one-liners. Some trouble in school places both Billie and Maxine into the office of Agatha, a therapist. Played by Annabel Matheson, her overly serious sessions and pamphlets slowly nudges them to talk about their demons – including a sequined creature (Benjamin Hancock) that haunts Billie’s nights. Matheson also performs as Drew ‘The Wombat’, Maxine’s derby mentor. A character that has cultivated a safe and welcoming space for Maxine to unlock the catharsis she needs.
A Multi-Formatted Style
The show follows a multi-formatted style that adds to the whirlwind nature of this comedy horror. Almost like a diary mixed in with fast paced vignettes of the duo. The scenes transitions through a three-piece live band led by musical director and guitar player, Joe Lui. He is accompanied by Calliope Jackson (Bass) and Antoine Jelk, who switches between the drums and plays Weird Neil the neighbour. The band’s rock renditions of songs give a signature sound to both Billie and Maxine that reflects their personalities.
Lucy Birkinshaw’s neon and disco-like lighting design transports us to the fantastical aspects of the story. Jonathan Oxlade’s set design consists of four moving platforms each featuring a room in Billie and Maxine’s home. Almost every set and prop seem to be on wheels – very on theme – and accommodated the two-sided seating layout of the venue.
One of the standout features for the show are the local Roller Derby League skaters that the production enlisted. This collaboration in choreography with skate consultants Maddy ‘BB Gun’ Wilkinson and Jude ‘Vaderella’ Gaffney created several action-packed moments that blended seamlessly with the constant motion of moveable set pieces. Each player’s tenacity and energy brought the authenticity needed for this heart-thumping sport.
Is Mama Does Derby Worth Seeing in Sydney?
The show is a vibrant coming-of-age story that’s relentlessly humorous and uplifting despite the messiness of life. It has a genre of comedy that uses some aspects of magical realism to convey each character’s roller coaster of emotions that keeps the momentum of the plot going. Its visually stunning production allows us the audience to enter its escapism for a night and leaves you feeling hopeful.
Tickets and Practical Info for Mama Does Derby in Sydney 🎟️
Sydney Town Hall until 22nd January
Tickets: https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/events/mama-does-derby
Duration 1 hour 30 minutes (no interval)
Premium Standard – $109
A Reserve Standard – $99
A Reserve Concession – $89
B Reserve Standard – $49
B Reserve Concession – $44
+ booking fee
Co-Creator, Director – Clare Watson
Co-Creator, Writer – Virginia Gay
Assistant Director/Choreographer – Larissa McGowan
Designer – Jonathan Oxlade
Lighting Designer – Lucy Birkinshaw
Musical Director – Joe Lui
Sound Designer – Luke Smiles
Story Consultant – Ivy Miller
Performer – Amber McMahon
Performer – Elvy-Lee Quici
Performer – Benjamin Hancock
Performer – Antoine Jelk
Performer – Dylan Miller
Performer – Annabel Matheson
Performer – Aud Mason-Hyde
Performer – Calliope Jackson
Derby Athletes – Members of the Sydney Roller Derby League
Sydney Derby Team Leader – Nicole “Ziggy” Eyles
Skate Consultant – Jude ‘Vaderella’ Gaffney
Hero image photography – Claudio Raschella and Bri Hammond
