(Q) What happens when five of Canberra’s most accomplished actresses are let loose on a play bearing the provocative title of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche under the direction of the city’s most prolific director of queer theatre?
(A) A night of zany, hysterically funny theatre from which its audience leave the theatre exhausted from laughter. That’s what!
Everyman Theatre has again hit the jackpot with this wonderfully silly play in which the entire audience becomes attendees at the 1956 annual quiche breakfast hosted by the Susan B. Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein.
Yes guys, this means you too, because in the interests of inclusivity, both males and females in the audience are provided with stickers bearing female names, making them honorary lesbians for the night.
Conducting the event from the head table is the President of the society, Lulie Stanwyck (Crystal Mahon) who rules with an iron fist coated with an excess of charm.
Lulie is flanked by her events co-ordinator, Wren Robin (Steph Roberts), obviously aspiring to be Lulie’s successor; the society secretary, Ginny Cadbury (Sian Harrington) firmly under the thumb of Lulie; Dale Prist (Ylaria Rogers), the society historian; and Vern Schultz (Meaghan Stewart) the Buildings and Grounds Chairman. All of whom are competing for the honour of producing the best quiche.
Also present in the audience is the unfortunate previous society Chairperson, on whom the audience is encouraged to heap its disdain in support of the new regime’s efforts to make clear that changes are being made, as well as participate in the society’s rituals.
To give too much away would spoil the surprises. Suffice to say, subtlety has no place in this production. The acting is gloriously over-the-top, as is West’s confident direction which ensures that the chaotic, brilliantly staged, slapstick scenes never get out of hand, and that each member of the ensemble cast gets a moment to shine.
A particular pleasure of this production is watching how each actor plays those moments for real with brilliant comedy acting, while supporting and playing off her colleagues, referenced by just two of those moments; Sian Harrington’s hilarious demonstration of how to relish a quiche, and Ylaria Rogers’ masterful monologue about a childhood trauma.
Jarrad West’s imaginative setting draped in American flag bunting, together with Fiona Leach’s colourful 50’s costumes, provide a perfect environment for the madcap antics of this accomplished cast who ensure that this production is guaranteed not only to raise your spirits, but is also one you’d be mad to miss.
5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
ACT Hub – Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston
Performance: Friday 17 July 2026
Season continues to 1 August 2026
Information and Bookings: www.acthub.com.au
Image: Meaghan Stewart, Crystal Mahon, Steph Roberts, Sian Harrington and Ylaria Rogers in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche – photo by Janelle McMenamin
Review: Bill Stephens OAM