The exhausted mother, juggling children, bills, library books, and dinner. A betrayed wife addressing a cactus appreciation society. A fiercely competitive Catholic schoolgirl in a talent show. A bride wondering whether she should go through with the wedding. A widow discovering life is not over.

Five ordinary women – and five private explosions.

Echo Theatre’s acclaimed 2024 production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s Bombshells returns to The Q before embarking on a month-long regional tour.

“This is a play about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, about resilience and persistence, about the strength and tenacity of women at every stage of our lives, exposing humanity at its most vulnerable moments,” director Jordan Best says.

Originally conceived as a one-woman show – the original Melbourne production was a vehicle for international music-theatre star Caroline O’Connor – Best has divided the five monologues among five actors.

Yanina Clifton, a recent graduate of the London Academy of Dramatic Art, plays Meryl, frazzled mother of three.

Louise Bennet, a Canberra actress who also trained in London, plays Tiggy, whose husband left her for a younger woman; she delivers a furious talk to a cactus appreciation society.

Sally Taylor, whom Best calls one of Canberra’s strongest comic actresses, plays ambitious teen Mary O’Donnell, forced to improvise after her nemesis steals her chosen song.

Ella Buckley, whom Best describes as an exceptional and vibrant young actress, plays Teresa, the bride who gradually realises she might be marrying the wrong man.

And Lainie Hart — who directed Best earlier this year in Canberra Rep’s Liaisons dangereuses — plays widowed Winsome Webster. This monologue moves Best to tears.

“It’s so beautiful, because she discovers that life can still surprise her, and that it isn’t over. It makes me cry, because it’s hopeful and joyful. We all know that feeling where you feel like you’re stuck and you’ve been whittled down to a tiny version of yourself – and something happens that brings you back to life.”

Best says that Murray-Smith’s play reflects on how women respond to the unreasonable expectations imposed on them, from marriage to the pursuit of unattainable beauty standards.

“Many of us are trying to lead multiple lives: child, mother, wife, lover, star; giving small doses of oxygen to each and imploding under the weight of so many competing roles,” the playwright said.

By making the show a five-hander, Best creates professional opportunities for five actresses, not just one. Besides, she says:

“As an audience member, I’m a little sick of watching masterclasses in acting. I want to be able to lose myself in the character. That can be slightly more difficult to do when what you’re watching is the extreme cleverness of somebody switching from a 16-year-old schoolgirl to a 64-year-old widow.”

The women inhabit the same world, Best says; each monologue refers to the character who follows, although they never meet. The actresses’ soliloquies are almost like inner monologues, Best says.

“We’re hearing the things out loud that you would often only say inside your own head. One of the things that I love so much about these monologues is that they’re ordinary people. Often the most interesting conversations you have are with ordinary people who also lead extraordinary lives.

“These women are so ordinary that we all recognise ourselves in all of them. Certainly, there will be one that will resonate with you, and you’ll go, ‘Oh my god, that’s me’.”

The tone is funny, but with bite and with an emotional core. A colleague who attended the 2024 production angrily said to Best: “I thought this was meant to be a comedy, and you made me feel things.”

Disconcerted colleagues aside, the 2024 production was warmly received. Peter Wilkins (Canberra Critics Circle) said the performance was “second to none. Echo Theatre’s production is a blast of magnificent writing brought to life by six highly idiosyncratic and exquisitely defined performances under the sure direction of a director who intuitively understands Murray Smith’s comment on the experiences faced by her characters…

“Bombshells is Echo Theatre’s gift to everyone. It touches the heart and opens the mind. Bombshells is a tale of Everywoman, beautifully told, insightfully directed, perfectly performed and creatively staged. It is a highlight of the Q Theatre Season that is not to be missed.”

That production kindled the interest of venues outside Queanbeyan, and the production will tour to Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Bathurst, Cowra, Port Macquarie, and Sydney.

Designed from the outset to tour, the entire production fits in a van, while sets, props and costumes are sourced second-hand.

“We are the only theatre company in our region undertaking this kind of extensive touring, and building relationships with performing arts centres,” Best says. “It doesn’t only have to be metro and city work that comes to the region.”

Bombshells, The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 27–29 August. Approximately 75 minutes, no interval. Recommended for ages 15 and over. Prices $30-$70. Bookings:
(02) 6285 6290 or https://theq.net.au/whats-on/bombshells-2026/