Lune 

4****

Written by Pamela Ghislain 

Translated by Katherine Mendelsohn 

Directed by Wils Wilson 

Pamela Ghislain’s 2023 play first seen in Belgium asks what happens if just one person stands up against the Government when they have delivered a promise they haven’t acted on. 

The play starts with a monologue from Gabriel a smarmy lawyer who gets a phone call from Lune, he normally only takes cases from well known celebrities, Lune’s voice interests him, so he takes it pro bono.

Andrew Rothney is terrific as the lawyer playing him with an air of superiority that becomes humbler as he sees the power one wee woman can achieve. 

Lune arrives at the court with the fire of “the beast rising within her” she is determined to make a stance against the government and take them to court for their failing promise on gender equality. 

Lune played by Kim Allen is a beacon of hope for the many women of Belgium who have been denied this basic right. She stages a sit in on the court steps accepting only fluids, she is staging a hunger strike for the women, stoically sitting there and not making trouble, still waters run deep and this brings the news to the media of the country. 

Nalini Chetty as the court official Darya. She works on reception and at first feels Lune is fighting a lost cause, she starts to warm to the small woman who wants huge change. She is married to a hapless husband who phones her daily looking for lunch boxes, gym kits, etc, for their children. As the phone calls increase, she realises it’s also time to make a stand. She does everything along with working, his sole contribution to the household is taking the bins out. 

The play is written in such a documentary style that I was sure the story was real however no internet search shows the single woman who made a change. A great play does that, it leaves you asking questions and wanting more information. 

The cast are wonderful together Andrew and Nalini have the biggest change of opinion played perfectly as they slowly realise they need to be a part of the movement. Kim as Lune knows she is right and will stop at nothing for change,sitting almost in silence on the court steps waiting for a reaction and action. 

Belgium in the 70’s had the Redstockings movement which was a radical liberation movement.

Sophie Wilmes became the first female Prime Minister in 2019.

I hope these women get a chance to see Lune who carried on their fight for equality.