Stalled review

The public bathroom, designed with wonderful attention to detail by Emily Bestow, is rather an unlikely device to string together several stories about women coping with life. Wilke’s book is tight and refreshingly conversational, but tries to pack in too much. Every character here is interesting and follows a complex journey, yet they are too thinly drawn. The book is helped by Marsh’s punchy score, brought to life by musical director Livi Van Warmelo and a warm, string-heavy band. The songs lend weight to some of the bigger emotions, even if there’s too little light and shade. 

Lauren Ward as Maggie combines the fragility of a grieving mother with an understated resilience. Her journey is aided and tormented by the presence of an enigmatic Rebecca-Jo Roberts as the spirit of her daughter Robin. It’s a familiar dramatic device, but handled with nonchalance by director Stone, who marshals each mother/daughter dilemma with a deft touch. There are powerhouse performances from Josie Benson as Cynthia, Evita Khrime as Serena and a revelatory Regina Co as Krystal, who is struggling with her sexual identity. Marsh’s meaty score pitches everything at one level, but the cast members rise to the challenge and deliver the goods. Wilke’s book is more of a problem, spreading itself too thinly to deal satisfactorily with the weight of issues such as abortion, grief and addiction.