The Unexpected Feminist

‘Analysis of The Removalists reveals its “primitive drive of assertive individualism”, its “authoritarian” concerns and its “practical” demonstration of abused power are all blatantly gendered. According to established paradigms of feminist theatre study, The Removalists may be the work of an author described as a ‘post-feminist anti-feminist’, yet it is – in both form and content – a feminist play.’


In The Unexpected Feminist Van Badham presents a contemporary response to a treasured Australian play – a personal and unexpected take on The Removalists by David Williamson. 



The Unexpected Feminist is part of Cue the Chorus, a series of ten thought-provoking responses to classic Australian stories. The other titles in the series are:


1. An Ever-Changing Idiom by Alana Valentine – a response to Summer of the Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler


2. The Makings of a Man by John Harding – a response to No Sugar by Jack Davis


3. Playing Awkward by Noëlle Janacewska – a response to The Chapel Perilous by Dorothy Hewett


4. Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats by Melissa Reeves – a response to Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell


5. Radiant Women on Radiant Country by Andrea James – a response to Radiance by Louis Nowra


6. Robin Shall Restore Amends by Hilary Bell – a response to Away by Michael Gow


7. Still Waters by Wesley Enoch – a response to The Secret River by Kate Grenville; an adaptation for the stage by Andrew Bovell


8. What Goes Around Comes Around by Kate Mulvany – a response to Hotel Sorrento by Hannie Rayson


9. A Youth Presumed by Finegan Krcuekemeyer – a response to Blackrock by Nick Enright