Don’t have time to read the full review? Click here for a quick summary of the who, what, where and wine of this production.
Anita Heiss’ adaptation of her eponymous novel Tiddas celebrates the joys, challenges and overwhelming endurance of sisterhood, or in other words, Tiddahood.
Five women, best friends for decades, meet once a month to talk about books, drink wine, and update each other on their lives. They’re practically sisters, Tiddas, and have always been open and honest with each other, even when the truth is brutal. But, as life becomes more complicated, they might not be ready for how difficult that honesty can become.
Heiss’ writing gets to the heart of the strength and complexity of close female friendships, exploring how they evolve with age and life changes. Core to the story is the Aboriginal identities and connections of the five women – four are Aboriginal and one, Nadine, is married to an Aboriginal man. Each character’s personal journey, and their group identity as tiddas, are overlaid and intertwined with their First Nations identities.
Direction by Nadine McDonald-Dowd and Roxanne McDonald is effective in establishing a really natural, familial relationship between the Tiddas but the dialogue can sound a little clunky at times, as it seeks to cover a massive amount of information in only 90 minutes. Xanthe (Jade Lomas-Ronan) battles infertility; Izzy (Lara Croydon) navigates pregnancy amid a successful career; Veronika (Anna McMahon) needs to relearn who she is after getting divorced and becoming an empty nester; Nadine (Louise Brehmer) struggles with alcoholism; Ellen experiences grief and, to a lesser extent, commitment-phobia. Roxanne McDonald (co-Director) and Sean Dow are stellar supporting cast members, each performing several roles throughout that help thread the individual Tiddas story threads together.
The set, comprising a floor to ceiling bookshelf and mismatched chairs, is visually stunning and uniquely adaptable through rearranging of props and furniture to create the houses of each of the tiddas as they rotate book club locations. As individual characters, the tiddas are strong performers, but the story really sings when the whole ensemble is on stage.
Purchase your ticket to Tiddas here.
Sparkling Wine | Wine Pairing
To mark Toasting Aussie Theatre’s 100th review, Tiddas had to get a sparkling wine! It also aligns nicely with the tiddas’ enduring friendship – wine tastes change over time but there aren’t many people that will deny a glass of bubbles!
My Pick: Mt Yengo NV Blanc de Blanc, Adelaide Hills, SA
This drop balances lovely light notes of green apples and pear with creaminess for a sumptuous and refreshing taste. Wine company Mt Yengo promotes Indigenous Arts and Culture by way of giving back 50c from every bottle sold.
Tiddas, Belvoir St Theatre & Sydney Festival | Tasting Notes
| Aussie Season | 12 to 28 Jan 2024, Belvoir St Theatre |
| Ticket $ | $52-95 |
| Writer | Anita Heiss |
| Director | Nadine McDonald-Dowd & Roxanne McDonald |
| Theatre Type & Genre | Play, drama |
| See it if you like | The Weekend |
| Wine Pairing | Sparkling |
| Criteria for Wine Pairing | balance of white fruits and creaminess |
Toasting Aussie Theatre 