Did you know that the first recorded women’s cricket match in Australia took place at the Bendigo Easter Fair on 7th April, 1874? It was a charity event organised between two teams of 11 players – labelled the Blues and the Reds – by 19-year-old schoolteacher Barbara Rae. Her father, John, was headmaster of Rae’s Ironbark School and a keen cricket fan. Barbara acted as match secretary, was in charge of recruiting players and captained the Blues’ team.
Barbara’s stepmother, Emily (John’s second wife), captained the Reds’ team. Barbara’s sister Nellie also played in the match. An enthusiastic crowd of 2,000 attended and Barbara was named player of the match. The local newspaper, The Bendigo Advertiser, recorded it as a triumph. The paper praised the women as courageous and noted their standard of play rivalled that of prominent male cricketers. However, the high fives didn’t last long.
The event saw severe condemnation in other Victorian and, even, international media. Along with substantial public backlash, much of the media called it scandalous, unseemly, an unfeminine trail of masculine skill and deplorable. In a clearly ridiculous reference, one termed the attire worn by the ladies as “bordering on nudity”. Even though the teams returned for a second match the following year, when the number of attendees grew to 5,000, hostility continued.
Writer and director Christine Davey has joined forces with composer and choreographer Tess Parker to turn these events into an engaging play with music. A cast of alternate actors, who have a great deal of fun with the material, has been cast. The night I saw it, Tess played Barbara Rae, while Christine assumed the role of Emily Rae and Liana Emmerson was Nellie Rae. Also on board were Lauren Atkin as Miss Gerber, Aeonie Ostik Smith as Katie Petrie and Chanda Anderson Prior as Murdoch. Many were not only adept at delivering the spoken word convincingly, but were also melodic.
There is drama and feeling in the material presented, as sexism rears its ugly head. A cheeky aside to more modern times and the 2018 Sandpapergate ball tampering scandal that enveloped the Australian men’s team doesn’t go unnoticed. The eclectic set design works a treat in setting up the playful contention. I point to four vertical “rows” of jackets, hats, umbrellas, notebooks and bird cages on hooks, strung up by lightweight chains from above. Also in the picture is a large, old-style suitcase/chest containing cricket bats. A video backdrop is used sparingly with some choice quotes and visuals.
The actors are dressed to reflect the era – flowing grey skirts with white blouses, black shoes and either blue or red jackets (representing the Blues and the Reds). Ella Thompson’s lighting and sound design serve to elevate the piece. The injustice of the reception the first women cricketers received is sheeted home in splendid fashion in The Deplorables. Seventy minutes, it is on at Theatre Works until 29th August, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Beyond the Neck, at Theatre Works and touring – theatre review
- In the Club (Theatre Works) – theatre review
- Medea: Out of the Mouths of Babes (Theatre Works) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
