The Cut Of Her Jib theatre review: Delightful female rage
A well-pitched script and strong central performances propel this complex, cathartic script about hot flushes, social class and murder
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Female rage is a bit of theme at Fringe this year, but it’s less common to see it portrayed by its absolute flagbearers: menopausal women. That’s partly why The Cut Of Her Jib, a new play by Kathleen Ruddy, is so satisfying (although seeing Scottish women of one’s own age daring to exist on stage should not feel like such a rare delight in a festival with over 4,000 shows).
It’s a stormy Hogmanay and Belinda Crabbs’ (Deborah Whyte) husband of 30 years has disappeared. Barbara (Ruddy on fine form), her only friend and also her cleaning lady, arrives to console, collude and, while she’s there, clean the muddy footprints off the stair. Ruddy’s script is a thing of comedic beauty, full of one-liners that cause the audience to hoot, beautifully balanced by that perfectly pitched rage. Social class, that thing we like to pretend doesn’t really exist in Scotland, is also unpeeled, informing the characters’ call and response as Belinda’s snobbery is exposed.
While the second half is weaker, with a plot that both veers into complexity and yet also resolves a little too neatly, this is a funny, joyful and cathartic wee gem of a play with plenty to say for itself.
The Cut Of Her Jib, TheSpace Niddry Street, until 22 August, 5.25pm.