Superwoman?: Noma Dumezweni (Linda). Photo credit Johan Persson
Theatre: Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court
Play: Linda
Playwright: Penelope Skinner
Director: Michael Longhurst
Review by Ronke Lawal
Can women have it all – the career, the family, the relationship, the money and professional success? This now almost clichéd question on gender equality is a strong theme in Penelope Skinner’s hard-hitting play.
Linda Wilde (a powerful Noma Dumezweni) has dedicated her entire career to changing the world and making a difference to the lives of the women who use her company’s beauty products. Her award-winning achievements appear to be a symbol of her seemingly perfect life.
Linda’s ability to work hard while balancing her personal life as a loving mother and wife is truly an inspiration. Yet despite all of her success, the 55 year old is not satisfied. Her passion and drive for her unfulfilled career goals leave her wanting more, so she embarks on a ground-breaking beauty campaign and says:
“Old for a woman means worthless. Invisible. Of course we’re terrified. You tell us we peak at 16 and it’s downhill all the way from there. Well I haven’t worked this hard to be pushed aside at the last hurdle. I refuse to be silenced. I will not disappear. I am Linda Wilde. And I’m still here.”
At work Linda strives to remain relevant as younger and more “attractive” talent, in the form of devious Amy (Amy Beth Hayes), attempt to topple her from her “award-winning” perch. Linda’s pride and self-assuredness make every rejection even more painful amid the everyday corporate sexism, channelled wonderfully by Ian Redford as Dave, who whittles Linda’s confidence down to breaking point.
The pain Linda feels as her corporate dream turns into a living nightmare is palpable. In many ways it is even sadder than the unravelling of her personal life, including her relationship with her unassuming husband Neil (perfectly played by Dominic Mafham), which offers an insight into the complexities of married life.
The pain of having it all: Noma Dumezweni (Linda) and Imogen Byron (Bridget) in background. Photo credit Johan Persson
Linda “chose” Neil because she was certain of his loyalty with her as the main breadwinner and the driver behind the relationship. While happily cooking dinner for Neil after a long day at work, she brings up her financial dominance, a role she reminds Neil of throughout the play. It’s only when his loyalty is tested that Linda finally sees her husband for who he is, showing the delicate nature of gender roles in romantic relationships.
Her relationship with her two daughters Bridget (Imogen Byron) and Alice (Karla Crome) is a nuanced, realistic portrayal. The fractured relationship between Linda and Alice culminates in an overwhelming battle of the heart, where truths are laid bare and emotions run high.
Crome plays the sensitive and broken Alice so beautifully, representing how often women are at the mercy of men, and how damaging a betrayal can be to a girl in her formative years while Byron brings the youthful, naive and determined Bridget to life as a teenage girl who wants to be seen and stand out, including by her own family. These intricate interpersonal relationships showcase the pressures women can place on each other to uphold the ideals of a wider society.
On the periphery of these main relationships are the “distractions”, chiefly Luke (Jaz Deol) and Stevie (Merriel Plummer) who act as powerful catalysts for change in the narrative.
Linda is an emotive production which balances drama, comedy and intrigue convincingly. Credit has to be given to the set design team, led by ES Devlin, for creating a stunning visual display which brings an almost surreal experience of both a high end contemporary lifestyle and the force of nature on stage. It’s a triumph.
A special mention has to be given for Noma Dumezweni’s powerful portrayal of Linda. She is positively awe-inspiring on stage and brings the emotional struggle, pain, passion and strength of the character to life in a way which stays with you long after you leave the theatre.
Penelope Skinner has written a play for our times; one that every woman and man interested in true gender equality should see.
Linda is at the Royal Court until 9 January 2016.