The Ladies of Juliana – Etcetera Theatre

Taken from historical accounts of ladies who were transported to Australia between 1788-1852, as convicts who had been convicted of petty crimes, and were being used to help to populate the colonies.  During this period 24,000 women were transported, and ‘The Ladies of Juliana’ tells the tale of six such ladies, and their experience aboard the ship – The Lady Juliana.

The horrendous journey that these ladies suffered is graphically played out in this history play that attempts to draw back the veil of their gruelling treatment at the hands of men.  The shocking treatment of these ladies on the ship was so extreme, that they nicknamed the ship ‘the floating brothel’.  The six ladies in this play dramatically show their suffering, with Sarah (Lydia Moll) turning to drink to blot out the memory of the men taking advantage of her, using sex to procure alcohol which in turn numbed her feelings of shame.  At every turn, the women are let down by men that they thought were being kind to them, only to find that they were equally prepared to take advantage of them.

The set and costumes all add to the authentic feeling of life at sea, the realisation that these ladies’ crimes were petty, and the punishment so harsh is fabulously played out.  The addition of music is a lovely touch, with the soulful cello played by Martha-Rose McKeown, adding a sombre note to the play.  But it is the ladies lack of rights, their cruel treatment for crimes that is central to the plotline, they would be forever changed, and it is likely that their treatment at their destination would be no better.  The desperate situation is portrayed well by this all-female ensemble, as they capture the ladies’ hopelessness, many left families at home and their despair is felt in every scene.

Written and developed as an ensemble, the company have crafted a dramatic play which is a must for all history buffs.  Their care in communicating the severity of this blot on British history is deftly done, and we are left in no doubt, that the ladies on the ship ‘The Lady Juliana’ were brutally treated at the hands of men.  Their strength in the face of adversity is admirable, and SweptUnder Productions have ensured that this story will be swept under the carpet no more.  The SweptUnder Productions ensemble consists of Kamahri May, Erin Nothnagel, Lydia Moll, Martha-Rose McKeown, Jocelyn Dawn, and Niamh Hall, and all performed today.

The last performance of the show was at the Etcetera Theatre on the 24^th August – https://sweptunderproductions.co.uk/whats-on.  Follow the link for further information on the show, and SweptUnder Productions.

Reviewer: Caroline Worswick

Reviewed: 23^rd August 2025

North West End UK Rating: