Mary Jane (Old Fitz) ★★★★

Written by Amy Herzog. Australian Premiere. Mi Todo Productions. The Old Fitz. 23 May – 15 Jun, 2025.

There is a quiet elegance to Amy Herzog’s Mary Jane that is gently and overwhelmingly affecting. This is pure theatre—a great text combined with sympathetic acting—storytelling at its best.

Single mum Mary Jane (Eloise Snape) lives with her toddler son Alex in their small apartment in Queens. Alex suffers from cerebral palsy and associated medical issues, requiring constant medical supervision and care. She remains upbeat but grounded as she navigates this life. Around her, a parade of nurses, therapists, friends and fellow parents circle, showing us new angles on this strong and resourceful woman.

The plot is remarkably simple; this is a study in character—and I do mean character, as in internal fortitude and strength of moral purpose. Mary Jane is generous, frazzled, tired, friendly, compassionate and more, dealing with bureaucracies and life-and-death situations. She is Alex’s only advocate, holding it all together by the skin of her teeth.

Herzog has the confidence to let us sit with Mary Jane and slowly absorb the details. Alex, never seen and only heard via the gentle beeping of machines off-stage, is the centre of her world. She is helped by no-nonsense nurses and friends who do what they can, but ultimately the weight rests on her shoulders—an impossible burden for anyone to bear.

Eloise Snape’s performance is subtle and powerful. In a play that draws gasps from the simplest of line readings, Snape measures out her emotions and deep-rooted frustrations in micro-moments. Director Rachel Chant never lets the performances telegraph more than they need to. The rest of the cast—Di Adams, Sophie Bloom, Isabel Burton and Janine Watson—play two roles each, filling out the world.

As Mary Jane bounces off the other characters, we explore thoughts on mortality, religion, endurance and love without ever feeling forced. As events happen off-stage or between scenes, we sit with Mary Jane through the aftermath as silent observers to her pain.

It is refreshing and moving to see a piece of theatre that eschews gimmicks of any form. There is no twist in the writing, no moment of revelation. This is a slice of one woman’s life presented with grace and the composure to let the audience follow its lead. This play whispers when others want to shout.

Mary Jane is a gorgeous piece of theatre that gives us the honest gift of human connection.