Opening night of Prima Facie’s return season lands exactly seven years – to the day! – since the play’s Australian debut in the 110-seat Stables Theatre in Kings Cross.
Both director Lee Lewis and original star Sheridan Harbridge are reprising their roles in this encore production.
Harbridge, who recently blew us away in Amplified: The Exquisite Rock And Rage Of Chrissy Amphlett on this very stage, plays Tessa Ensler – a ruthless criminal defence barrister – in this challenging one-woman play, which runs for 90 minutes with no interval.
She also effortlessly morphs into supporting characters – taking the roles of both Tessa and a clueless cop she’s cross-examining – throughout.
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Human rights lawyer-turned-playwright Suzie Miller’s sharp writing gives us vibe-shift whiplash – one minute we’re laughing our arses off (the scene where Tessa’s sozzled and dancing up against a coworker in da club), nek minnit a sudden, alarming realisation wipes the smile off our dial and we gasp.
We watch Tessa unravel as she becomes complainant and lead witness in her own rape trial, all the while haunted by flashbacks from previous cases where she’s defended men accused of sexual assault. When Tessa finds herself on the other side of the bar, no longer controlling the ‘game’, she experiences the shortcomings of a patriarchal justice system – it’s her word against his, now.
The only prop on stage is a single chair on a raised platform. Timestamps – eg. “NOW”, “LATER” – appear as visuals emblazoned across screens to mark the passage of time, which allows for snappy transitions.
Prima Facie unflinchingly illustrates exactly why most people who experience sexual assault do not report it to police.
Since Prima Facie’s debut season, significant criminal law reforms have been implemented in both Victoria and New South Wales to codify an affirmative consent model, also providing stronger protections for victim-survivors and witnesses in sexual assault trials. But so much more needs to be done.
The official Australia and United Nations theme for International Women’s Day in 2026 was “Balance the Scales” – a call to close the gap between rights promised and justice delivered, highlighting “the urgent need for fair, inclusive and accessible justice systems for every woman and girl”.
Nationally, the Australian Bureau of Statistics Safety Survey found that 92% of women did not report their most recent experience of sexual assault to police.
Harbridge deserves all the accolades as does Miller’s play. Prima Facie keeps uncomfortable conversations going. Important, unmissable theatre.
Prima Facie plays at Comedy Theatre until 31 May.
