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Prima Facie (play)

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For the Latin expression meaning "at first sight", see Prima facie.

Prima Facie
Broadway Promotional Poster
Written bySuzie Miller
Date premiered17 May 2019 (2019-05-17)
Place premieredStables Theatre, Sydney
GenreDrama
Official site

Prima Facie is a dramatic one-woman play written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller. It premiered in 2019 at the Stables Theatre, Sydney, Australia, where it picked up major awards from the Australian Writers' Guild. The 2022 London production of the show was nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards, with wins for Best New Play and Best Actress for Jodie Comer, who subsequently won a Tony Award for the same role on Broadway in New York.

Miller reworked the play into a novel in 2023, and a film adaptation is in pre-production as of September 2024.

Plot and themes

[edit]

The play is about a barrister, Tessa, who specialises in defending men accused of sexual assault, and whose view of the legal system changes after she is sexually assaulted herself.[1][2] Themes include how witnesses in sexual assault cases are required to provide crystal-clear evidence for a conviction to be secured.[3]

Prima facie is a Latin expression meaning "at first sight",[4] or "based on first impression",[5] and the play originally had the working title On the Face of It.[6]

Productions

[edit]

Australia (2019 and subsequent)

[edit]

Prima Facie premiered in 2019, at the Stables Theatre, Sydney, Australia.[7] The production, directed by Lee Lewis and starring Sheridan Harbridge, ran from 17 May to 22 June.[7]

This production was reprised in 2021, presented by Griffin Theatre Company and the Seymour Centre; [8] at the Melbourne Theatre Company in February/March 2023;[9] by the State Theatre Company of South Australia in Adelaide in April/May 2023;[10] and by the Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth in 2024.[11]

West End (2022)

[edit]

The play made its West End premiere in 2022, at the Harold Pinter Theatre, with Jodie Comer starring as Tessa,[12] directed by Justin Martin. It ran from 15 April-18 June.[13] English singer-songwriter Self Esteem composed the soundtrack for the West End production, which she digitally released on 14 June 2022.[14] In a review of the production, The Guardian said of the play's messages, "there is power in hearing them spoken on a West End stage, and Comer manages to infuse breath-taking emotional drama in every last word."[1]

The West End production partnered with the Schools Consent Project, a charity that visits schools to teach about sexual consent.[15] As part of this partnership, Prima Facie gave free tickets to school groups and raised money for the charity.[16]

Starting 21 July 2022, a filmed performance of the play at the Harold Pinter Theatre was shown at cinemas around the world by NT Live.[17]

The show won all three of the categories it was nominated in at the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards: Best Play, Best Performer in a Play (for Comer) and Best Graphic Design.[18] It received nominations in five categories of the 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards: Best New Play, Best Actress (for Comer), Best Director (for Justin Martin), Best Lighting Design (for Natasha Chivers), and Best Sound Design (for Ben and Max Ringham).[19] Out of five nominations, the play received two awards: Best New Play and Best Actress.[20][21][22]

Broadway (2023)

[edit]

The West End production made its North American premiere on Broadway in spring 2023.[23] The show began previews on April 11, 2023 at the Golden Theatre, and officially opened on April 23, 2023, scheduled to run for a strictly limited engagement.[24] The show received mostly positive reviews from the critics.[25] The show was originally scheduled to run until 10 June 2023, but it was extended.[26] The show played its final performance on July 2, 2023.[27]

Jodie Comer won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.[28][29]

Other notable productions

[edit]

A New Zealand production by Plumb Theatre, starring Acushla-Tara Kupe as Tessa, premiered at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, in Auckland in June/July 2023.[30]

In other languages

[edit]

A Turkish adaptation, translated by Nazlı Gözde Yolcu, directed by Hakan Atalay, and with Olcay Yusufoğlu as Tessa made its premiere at Fashion Scene (Moda Sahnesi) on 4 January 2022.[31][32] The play was still being performed at Tiyatro Oyunu in Istanbul in March 2024.[33]

A Spanish adaptation directed by Peruvian Juan Carlos Fisher and with Vicky Luengo as Tessa made its premiere at Teatros del Canal on 31 August 2023.[34] It was scheduled to run until 17 September 2023.[34]

A German adaptation starring Mercy Dorcas Otieno [de] premiered in September 2023 at the Deutsches Theater, Berlin,[35] and revived there in January/February 2024.[36]

A German adaptation starring Anna Rieser was performed in Austria in October 2023.[37]

An Icelandic adaption directed by Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir and with Ebba Katrín Finnsdóttir starring as Tessa made its premiere at the National Theatre of Iceland on 17 November 2023.[38]

The Dutch adaptation by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, starring Maria Kraakman as Tessa.premiered in Haarlem on 30 November 2023.[39]

A French version, directed by Géraldine Martineau, in which Elodie Navarre played Tessa, premiered at Théâtre Montparnasse from February to April 2024.[40]

In Serbia the show premiered at Bitef Teater in Belgrade on 26 January 2024, translated by Biljana Popmijatov, directed by Anja Suša, and performed by Maša Dakić.[41]

In Brazil, Débora Falabella plays the role of Tessa Ensler in a production directed by Yara de Novaes from May to June 2024 at the Adolpho Bloch Theatre in Rio de Janeiro,[42] and in the Teatro Unip in Brasília in August.[43]

A Chinese version, directed by Ke Zhou, in which Zhilei Xin played Tessa, performed in Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, Nanjing, Suzhou and Beijing from June to August, 2023 and Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Suzhou from October to November, 2024.

Notable casting

[edit]
Character Sydney West End Broadway
2019 2022 2023
Tessa Ensler Sheridan Harbridge Jodie Comer

Soundtrack

[edit]
Prima Facie (Original Theatre Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Self Esteem
Released14 June 2022
GenreElectronic
Length54:13
Producer
Self Esteem chronology
Prioritise Pleasure
(2021) 		Prima Facie (Original Theatre Soundtrack)
(2022)

Self Esteem's involvement was first announced on 7 February 2022.[44] The soundtrack album was released digitally on 14 June, with a red vinyl released on 2 December.[14] Self Esteem described her connection with the material by saying the play "deals with similar issues" as her previous album Prioritise Pleasure, and that the play is, "at heart ... an examination of what it can be like to be a woman today: the insecurities she's faced, heartbreak, sexism, misogyny, being told to look and behave a certain way." She also noted hope that her involvement would invite people to the show who otherwise feel alienated from theatre.[45]

The Evening Standard's Nick Curtis called the soundtrack "evocative" and "heartbeat-led",[46] while The Guardian's Arifa Akbar wrote that it "conjure[s] the ambient electronic sounds of an Ibiza beach bar."[1]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Rebecca Lucy Taylor

Prima Facie (Original Theatre Soundtrack) track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The Winner"3:27
2."To See From Here"3:42
3."Chambers"3:43
4."Chambers Continued (How Cliche)"1:35
5."The Process"3:17
6."Day In"3:04
7."Perfect 2 Me"3:06
8."Day Out"2:07
9."To See From Here (Reprise)"2:38
10."Day Through"2:00
11."Perfect 2 Me (Reprise)"2:15
12."Second Place (Cab Rank Rule)"4:16
13."Lean Back and Think of Justice"3:51
14."Cross Examination"1:48
15."I Have No Power Here"3:53
16."How Dare You"1:49
17."To See From Here (Reprise 2)"3:39
18."1 in 3 (I'm Fine)"4:03
Total length:54:13

Personnel

[edit]
  • Rebecca Lucy Taylor – songwriter, vocals (1–6, 8–18), producer, programmer
  • Taylor Skye – producer, piano (2, 11, 17, 18), synthesiser (5, 18), songwriter (5), vocals (7)
  • Cicely Balston – mastering
  • Eduardo de la Paz – mixing
  • Matthew Skillington – vocals (7)
  • Sophie Galpin – guitar (7)

Adaptations

[edit]

The 2022 production of the play at the Harold Pinter Theatre, starring Jodie Comer and directed by Justin Martin, was filmed and shown in cinemas around the world as a National Theatre Live production.[47][48]

In October 2023, a novelised version of the play written by Miller was published.[49][50]

On 15 May 2023, it was announced that the play would be adapted as a feature film, with actress Cynthia Erivo set to play the role of Tessa and Susanna White directing.[51] The screenplay has been written by Miller, and the film is being produced by Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey, and Jenny Cooney, of Bunya Productions along with Participant. Erivo and Jeff Skoll are executive producers.[52] It is in pre-production as of September 2024.[53][54]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

2018: script

[edit]

The script of the play won the 2018 Griffin Award, which "recognises an outstanding play or performance text that displays an authentic, inventive and contemporary Australian voice".[6]

2019: Sydney production

[edit]

The Griffin Theatre Company production won the 2020 AWGIE Award for Drama and the 2020 Major AWGIE Award from the Australian Writers' Guild.[55]

2022 West End production

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2023 Laurence Olivier Awards[21][22] Best New Play Won
Best Actress Jodie Comer Won
Best Director Justin Martin Nominated
Best Lighting Design Natasha Chivers Nominated
Best Sound Design Ben Ringham and Max Ringham Nominated

2023 Broadway production

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2023 Tony Awards[56][57] Best Actress in a Play Jodie Comer Won
Best Scenic Design of a Play Miriam Buether Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Play Natasha Chivers Nominated
Best Sound Design of a Play Ben & Max Ringham Nominated
Drama Desk Awards[58] Outstanding Play Nominated
Outstanding Solo Performance Jodie Comer Won
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams Won
Drama League Awards[59] Distinguished Performance Award Jodie Comer Nominated
Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards[60] Outstanding Solo Performance Jodie Comer Won
Theatre World Award[61] Jodie Comer Honoree

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Akbar, Arifa (27 April 2022). "Prima Facie review – Jodie Comer on formidable form in roaring drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  2. ^ Convery, Stephanie (13 June 2019). "'Going to get hell for this': Suzie Miller takes us to the messy heart of MeToo in Prima Facie". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  3. ^ Bird, John (7 May 2022). "Jodie Comer's play Prima Facie has an uncomfortable twist in the tale". Big Issue.
  4. ^ "prima facie". Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  5. ^ Reamer, Frederic G. (November 2014). "Prima Facie and Actual Moral Duties in Social Work". Social Work Today.
  6. ^ a b "Griffin Award". Griffin Theatre. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b Kops, Jade (26 May 2019). "Review: Prima Facie Is a Powerful Piece of Pertinent Theatre That That Lifts the Lid on the Flaws of the Legal System". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Prima Facie". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Prima Facie". Melbourne Theatre Company. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Prima Facie". State Theatre Company. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  11. ^ Brennan, Rosamund (28 June 2024). "'The hardest thing I've ever done': Sophia Forrest, the star taking on all 26 roles in Suzie Miller's Prima Facie". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  12. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (26 April 2022). "Killing Eve Star Jodie Comer Makes Astounding West End Debut in Prima Facie, a Powerful Play That Tackles Sexual Assault; First-Look Images". Deadline. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Prima Facie | Official Box Office". Harold Pinter Theatre. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  14. ^ a b Qureshi, Arusa (14 June 2022). "Self Esteem releases Prima Facie soundtrack". NME. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  15. ^ Wild, Stephi (15 March 2022). "Prima Facie Announces Partnership with the Schools Consent Project". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  16. ^ Wood, Alex (15 March 2022). "West End Prima Facie with Jodie Comer partners with Schools Consent Project". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  17. ^ Powster. "Prima Facie". National Theatre Live. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  18. ^ "The 23rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards – full list of winners". WhatsOnStage.com. 12 February 2023.
  19. ^ Yossman, K.J. (28 February 2023). "Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer Nominated for Olivier Awards 2023". Variety. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Olivier Awards 2023". Laurence Olivier Awards. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Olivier Awards 2023: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  22. ^ a b Wood, Alex (2 April 2023). "Olivier Awards 2023 – winners are announced". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  23. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (9 June 2022). "Killing Eve Star Jodie Comer to Bring Prima Facie to Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  24. ^ Cullwell-Block, Logan (15 November 2022). "Prima Facie, Starring Killing Eve's Jodie Comer, Sets Broadway Theatre, Dates". Playbill.
  25. ^ "Prima Facie". Did They Like It?. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Prima Facie announces extension". Broadway News. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  27. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "4 Broadway Shows Close Today". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  28. ^ Bahr, Sarah (12 June 2023). "Jodie Comer Wins Best Leading Actress in a Play for Prima Facie". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Leopoldstadt Wins Best Play at the Tony Awards". Variety.
  30. ^ "Prima Facie". aucklandlive.
  31. ^ "Eksi On Altı ve". tiyatronline.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  32. ^ "Prima Facie / İlk Bakışta". tiyatrolar.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  33. ^ Başkanlığı, İstanbul Barosu. ""Prima Facie / İlk Bakışta" Tiyatro Oyunu". İstanbul Barosu (in Turkish). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Vicky Luengo protagoniza 'Prima Facie', en forma de monólogo". rtve.es. 5 September 2023.
  35. ^ A. J. Goldmann (10 October 2023). "Well-Made, and Massively Weird: A New Theater Season in Berlin". The New York Times.
  36. ^ "Prima Facie, production details", Deutsches Theater (Berlin)
  37. ^ "Anna Rieser beeindruckt mit einem Plädoyer gegen häusliche Gewalt". kurier. 12 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Orð gegn orði (Prima Facie) - Þjóðleikhúsið".
  39. ^ "Prima Facie". Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Culture, food, lifestyle… l'agenda du week-end de la rédaction (27/28 janvier 2024)" (in French). Vanity fair. 26 January 2024.
  41. ^ Milošević, Mina (5 February 2024). "Prima Facie review, Bitef Teatar, Belgrade". See Stage. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Sympla Bileto". Sympla Bileto (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  43. ^ Maciel, Nahima (28 August 2024). "'Prima Facie', com Débora Falabella, chega a Brasília". Diversão e Arte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  44. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (7 February 2022). "Self Esteem is composing the music for new play Prima Facie, starring Jodie Comer". Dork. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  45. ^ Nannar, Nina (22 April 2022). "Self Esteem on composing for Jodie Comer's play Prime Facie and challenging misogyny with music". ITV News. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  46. ^ Curtis, Nick (29 April 2022). "Prima Facie review: Jodie Comer is better than we've ever seen her in West End debut". Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  47. ^ Miller, Suzie (18 June 2022). "NT Live: Prima Facie". National Theatre. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Official Website". National Theatre Live: Prima Facie. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  49. ^ Miller, Suzie (2023). Prima Facie. Picador. ISBN 9781761262258.
  50. ^ Jefferson, Dee (19 October 2023). "Prima Facie by Suzie Miller review – what does the hit play gain from being novelised?". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  51. ^ Lee, Benjamin (15 May 2023). "Cynthia Erivo to star in movie adaptation of hit play Prima Facie". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  52. ^ Donnelly, Matt (15 May 2023). "Cynthia Erivo to Star in 'Prima Facie,' Movie Adaptation of Smash Jodie Comer Play (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  53. ^ "Prima Facie". IMDb. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  54. ^ Miller, Suzie (23 April 2024). "In conversation with Australia's success story Suzie Miller". Honi Soit (Interview). Interviewed by Chidiac, Valerie. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  55. ^ Evans, Greg (9 June 2022). "Killing Eve Star Jodie Comer Sets 2023 Broadway Debut in Suzie Miller's Prima Facie". Deadline. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  56. ^ Evans, Greg (2 May 2023). "Tony Award Nominations – The Complete List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  57. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (11 June 2023). "Tony Awards: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  58. ^ "Shucked, Some Like It Hot Lead 2023 Drama Desk Award Nominations". 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  59. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (19 May 2023). "Some Like It Hot, Annaleigh Ashford, Leopoldstadt, More Win 2023 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  60. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "NEW YORK, NEW YORK; SOME LIKE IT HOT; & More Lead Nominations for Outer Critics Circle Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  61. ^ "Funny Girl Star Julie Benko Among 2023 Theatre World Award Winners". 1 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
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