The Fair Intellectual Club

The Fair Intellectual Club, directed for Stellar Quines by Marilyn Imrie, is a force of strong females, both in and out of the production. The first play penned by Lucy Porter, The Fair Intellectual Club is a strong writing debut from the comedian. 

The stage is set with candles, and a simple set reflects the atmosphere of secrecy well, immersing the audience into the play. Imrie’s direction arcs nicely through the performance, as we see the three women at first fighting to stand on the plinth; to be the dominant voice in the club. As the action goes on they are banded together, and it is maybe in this change most of all that we see the feminist spirit of the club and of the play. It is through the women's discovery that they can fight to publish their poetry or marry the man that they love, yet can never be recognised for their scientific and mathematic genius, that the injustice they must rail against truly unravels. 

Samara MacLaren, Caroline Deyga and Jessica Hardwick each have strong presences, and although set in the 18th Century,their display of friendship, fall-outs, and the pursuit for knowledge and equality wouldn’t be lost now on a show such as Girls. The closing scene of the play reminds us of that very fact, and calls to the audience and to women to stand strong together, all to a Beyoncé soundtrack. It’s hard not to leave the theatre feeling the empowerment of that very call.