Barry

Source: The List (Issue 594)
Date: 17 January 2008
Written by: Meg Watson

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Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 22–Sat 26 Jan

REVIVAL

Feminism in its various guises has been around for many years, but Rowan Tree Theatre Company’s new production of Frederic Mohr’s one woman show Barry hints that women haven’t advanced quite as far as we might have hoped.

Taking a retrospective look at a woman succeeding in a man’s world, is the tale of real-life character Dr James Miranda Barry, a 19th century female doctor who lived her life as a man. Regular Scottish stage actress Isabella Jarrett takes on the cross-dressing lead role.

‘It is a fascinating story and an important one for women’s history which still has resonances today,’ says Jarrett. ‘We’re living in these post-feminist times in which we take such things as being able to go to university and lead independent lives for granted, but it’s still very difficult to succeed as a woman, without becoming masculine and without giving up the notion of having children. Barry really had to become a man to succeed as a woman and in many ways I don’t think it’s changed that much.’

Directed in the round by John Carnegie with a simple set and lavish costumes designed by Gregory Smith, this play, revived after 25 years, should be a thought-provoking insight into one of history’s many forgotten women.

More: Barry, Frederic Mohr, Isabella Jarrett, Revival, Rowan Tree Theatre Company, Previews (Theatre)