Content Warning: This show deals with themes of miscarriage.
Atticwife is an exploration of what it means to be a woman with free will, and why you deserve freedom no matter who you are. Starring Laura Clare Browne as Astrid, an influencer ‘tradwife’ locked in an attic by her husband, and Jen Clark as Leah, a Reddit obsessed nerd trying to save Astrid from her fate. The show takes a satirical look at what it means to be a tradwife, and how the information they share can be unintentionally harmful.
The harmony the actors find despite playing radically different characters is a key part of Atticwife, with the characters at times seeming equally ridiculous and reasonable. The script, written by Browne, handles a seamless movement between humour, intensity, and emotional turmoil that brought tears to my eyes. Rebecca Wilson’s direction was also well done, making use of the small space to create an intimate and immersive environment. While each character was off-putting in their own ways (advocating for lobotomies for example) this didn’t affect my ability to connect with them.
Atticwife left me questioning the role we have as women to stand up for ourselves and others, and how we should sympathise with even the seemingly worst of us. While there does seem to be a trend of tradwife theatre and commentary recently, which Atticwife could get lost in the conversation of, I felt their rendition was original enough to allow a nuanced perspective on the phenomenon.
The most powerful aspect of the performance was its conclusion, which left me struck by the depth the show was able to reach without being a production that takes itself too seriously. I found it to be simple in set, sound and story, allowing it to convey each idea intimately. While Atticwife carries a serious message, it is very playful and funny, satirising the way women have romanticised their own abuse. It’s a perfect show for any feminist to expand their empathy and become better acquainted with tradwife discourse.
Atticwife is running until 25 August (excluding 16th) at Studio at theSpace @ Niddry St. Buy tickets here.
Image provided to The Student by Lutriz Studios as press material.
