Powerful, comedic, fierce, funny — there are endless ways to describe Lovelock’s production of Blandy, which follows the true story of Mary Blandy; a young woman convicted in eighteenth-century England for the alleged deliberate poisoning of her father. Although Mary Blandy’s case has been retold repeatedly as one of the earliest criminal trials involving scientific evidence, Lovelock’s interpretation manages to offer a distinctly original perspective.
The performance shifts fluidly between contemporary and Georgian language, presenting a narrative that could exist both in the modern day and in the historical period from which it originates. Though well-researched and full of insightful historical detail, the connection between the two periods never feels forced or disjointed. Instead, it is sharply funny, incisive, and unexpectedly fresh.
The production is satisfyingly fast-paced, transitioning seamlessly from courtroom scenes to real-time narrative, to direct address from Mary herself. Georgie Dettmer’s portrayal of Mary navigates a broad emotional range, moving from anger to romance, to despair, to comedy with remarkable artistry. Her interpretation of Mary balances perfectly between a character that is hopeful without being infantilising, optimistic without being naïve.
Luke Nixon’s performance is equally compelling, taking on the rotating roles of Mary’s father, her husband, and various members of the court. In contrast to Dettmer’s emotionally nuanced Mary, Nixon evokes emotional shifts within the audience itself. One moment we are laughing, the next we are seething with anger in what is a powerhouse performance. Dettmer and Nixon exhibit a magnetic onstage chemistry, moving around each other effortlessly, their performances remaining fluid and believable despite the routine switching of their roles.
What is most moving about the production is that, rather than commenting on Mary Blandy’s guilt, it acts as a defence of her to present a cautionary tale about the position of women as victims within the justice system. The play honours the historical context, while also resonating with contemporary themes of social injustice, love, and beauty.
Image courtesy of Coco Cottam, provided to The Student as press material.
