A beyond exceptional performance of a beyond exceptional woman.
The intimate setting of the Heath Ledger Theatre becomes a portal into the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as Heather Mitchell takes to the stage in the one-woman show, RBG: Of Many, One. This meticulously written and stunningly performed piece explores the profound impact of the diminutive yet formidable US Supreme Court Justice, whose life’s work has irrevocably shaped the landscape of the American legal system and gender equality.
Mitchell, in a career-defining performance, embodies Ginsburg with skills that transcend mere imitation. She captures the essence of Ginsburg’s tenacity, her intellectual firepower, and her unexpected charm with an authenticity that feels both inspiring and deeply moving (yes, it was that good). Throughout the performance, Mitchell channels Ginsburg’s quiet determination, her razor-sharp wit, and her unwavering commitment to fairness, bringing the audience to a standing ovation with her delivery.
Heather Mitchell in STC RBG Of Many,One. Photography by Prudence Upton.
What is perhaps most awe-inspiring is the ease and fluidity with which Mitchell transitions back and forth, in quick succession, between Ruth at the age of 16, 87, and everywhere in between through her body, language, voice and pace alone. The same applies for the seamless transitions between Mitchell’s grounded portrayal as Ruth and brief interactions she has with meaningful figures in Justice Ginsburg’s life – her husband, Bill Clinton (who appointed her to the US Supreme Court while president), her children and her colleagues. For comedic relief (among the crushing depression of the reality of what we know occurs on November 8, 2020) was perhaps the best Trump impersonation I’ve ever seen. *It was, you know, the greatest, you know, anyone has seen that’s what people tell me that’s the truth*.
The narrative weaves through Ginsburg’s early years—her struggles with gender discrimination in a male-dominated profession, her loving partnership with her husband and champion, Marty, and her rise to writing some of the most significant majority and dissenting decisions in US jurisprudence. The script is a tapestry of poignant moments that make you quietly weep, quotations from significant cases (citations included), and moments of sharp wit and personality which often produce riotous laughter from the audience.
Heather Mitchell in STC RBG Of Many,One. Photography by Prudence Upton.
The show’s simplicity in production is its strength, allowing Ginsburg’s words and Mitchell’s performance to shine without distraction. The minimalistic set design and subtle but impactful lighting and music design serve to highlight the magnitude of Ginsburg’s presence. The rare moments when Mitchell breaks the fourth wall, thanking a stage hand or asking someone in the crowd if they crochet (yes), makes you feel as if its Ruth standing in front of you, and this makes every word she says feel immediate and impactful.
As the story concludes, the audience is left with a sense of having witnessed not just a recount of Ginsburg’s life but having experienced the resonating echo of her legacy. The standing ovation was not just for Mitchell, but the woman she so effortlessly inhabits for 2 hours, and the celebration of the two.
RBG: OF MANY, ONE is a Sydney Theatre Company production presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company, on now at the Heath Ledger Theatre until June 23.