The MILF and Mistress to premiere in January
A dynamic and darkly comic premiere season, The MILF and Mistress is a rare and compelling theatrical event that centres on the older lesbian experience. Hitting the stage at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory in January 2023, it angles a bright spotlight on how Saturday soccer, school runs, and flannelette pyjamas all work to keep us in a comfortable domestic slumber… until a well-placed riding crop wakes us up.
The MILF and Mistress tells the tale of Ali Henderson. An intelligent, middle-aged woman who outwardly seems to be living the lesbian dream. But three pets, two sons, one wife and a shiny quarter acre block in suburbia make for one very frustrated MILF. She apparently “has it all”… but is it enough? Does happily ever after simply expire?
A new Australian work by multi-award-winning playwright and actor Jane Montgomery Griffiths, The MILF and Mistress will be realised on the stage by Theatre Works Executive Director, and first time theatre director, Dianne Toulson. Performed by renowned actor and Green Room Award Winner Jennifer Vuletic, The MILF and Mistress is an important comment on a group within the GLBTIQA+ community whose experiences are often sidelined and dismissed.
“We all know about the invisibility of middle-age for women”, explains Writer Jane Montgomery Griffith, “so much of that, though, is tied up with heterosexuality and women no longer being deemed attractive. There’s very little theatrical work out there exploring and validating middle-aged lesbians and their sexuality. Concurrently, there’s also growing interest in debunking the taboo of women hiring sex workers, what with the success of Good luck, Leo Grande, so I suppose this project is a bit within that zeitgeist.”
“Jane is a poetic writer and has written this play from the heart, weaving her usual black humor and wit throughout”, adds Director Dianne Toulson. “She pulls no punches and she does not hold back on the emotion and sense of loss women of a certain age feel. Adding the additional layer of the older lesbian story doubles down on that sense of invisibility. In a world where everything is generalised or queer, are we losing the lesbian identity?”
Featuring multiple real-life Mistresses from the Melbourne community throughout the limited season, a unique design that safely brings audiences right into the action, and a live DJ and dancing after each performance, this surprising new work will be a true highlight during the 2023 Midsumma Festival.
Proudly supported by Theatre Works, one of Australia’s longest-running independent theatres, The MILF and Mistress is an exciting addition to the vast and vibrant array of shows the organisation will support throughout the year. Known for constantly reinvigorating and reimagining the sector, Theatre Works champions artists and work that embrace difference and celebrates risk by continually providing a platform for marginalised conversations and voices.
Written by Jane Montgomery Griffiths the show includes direction by Dianne Toulson and performer Jennifer Vuletic.
For more information visit Theatre Work’s website.
