The Australian politician who founded a society to honour one of Australia’s leading suffragists will be a special guest at the opening night of the 2018 production of Phyl Lobl’s Dames and Daredevils for Democracy being staged at the Redland Museum from August 17 to 19.
Member for Florey in South Australia, Frances Bedford MP, founded the Muriel Matters Society in 2009 to honour the life and achievements of South Australian suffragist Muriel Matters.
Spectacularly, in the British House of Parliament, Muriel Matters and a companion chained themselves to the grille which had historically separated women from the body of the House. Their chains were strategically placed under their clothes so male officials called to remove them were obliged by social propriety to remove the women and the whole grille – still connected.
Ms Matters also hired a dirigible to drop suffrage leaflets over London; the dirigible being blown off course did nothing to diminish the effect of her protest.
Frances Bedford said individual action was as powerful today as it was then.
“The inspirational stories of these amazing women are still relevant today,” she said..
“When you consider issues such as domestic violence and equal pay the message from Dames and Daredevils is that each one of us has the power to make change. Together we can move the world. Political systems change when people won’t put up with things any more.”
Phyl Lobl's production is presented by Magda Community Artz, and recognises the struggle and achievements of 10 female activitists who have been largely unnoticed. It was adapted for theatre by director Jan Nary with musical direction by Ann Bermingham.
Included are Louisa Lawson, mother of Henry Lawson and publisher of Australia's first women's magazine.
Henrietta Dugdale destroyed her whalebone corset in an act that helped liberate women's bodies and minds and Vida Goldstein achieved international acclaim as a spokesperson for ballot-box equality.
Five members of Mates Theatre Genesis, Jackie Wiley, Brian Gamble, Dallas Fogarty and Suze Harpur. join the cast.
The show continues at the Western Magpies AFL Club, Chelmer at 7pm on August 24, 25 and 31 and September 1 and at noon on August 26 and September 2. Redland shows are at 7pm on August 17 and 18 and at 2pm on August 19. Bookings on 3286 3494 (Redlands) and 0400 497 422 (Magpies).
