Wimbledon Studio – until 27th September 2025
Reviewed by Carly
5*****
Wimbledon brings you the story of The Gardening Club set in Georgia USA, in the 1960’s when choice isn’t an option for young females regarding the contraceptive pill, only available to those that are married! (Can’t get the pill without the ring!) A group of five women decide to join forces to help the women of Georgia have a choice over their bodies without feeling shame. They secretly decide to form a gardening club, where they can sell the pills as seeds – sworn to secrecy between one another and the promise to keep it under the radar! There’s Pheobie (Emma Wallace) who want to become a powerful journalist. She’s working as a receptionist at an all-male newspaper office, a struggle in-itself and feels she is never heard! Betty, (Olivia Taylor Quinn) a nurse who is a loyal friend and has a source close to the distribution of the contraceptive pill! Shelia, (Hannah Greensmith) a housewife who seems to have it all… But does she? Maggie (Emma Espada) a teenager who talks about her experiences with sex and doesn’t want to feel ashamed but only wants to embrace it! Vicky, (Lola Garlick) Maggie’s younger sister who loves books and hides from the world. Eventually, we see her imagination come to life! To get the ball rolling they all decide to put an ad in the newspaper sneakily. Soon enough the calls begin to come in taking them on a journey they never thought possible.
I loved how the songs take you through the individual stories of the characters with so many sexual innuendos that had the audience in stiches on many occasions. As well as some very touching heartfelt tender topics and emotional scenes regarding loneliness, abortions, death and taking back control! What is obvious is the true friendship that is formed between these girls and how they go on to continue fighting for their rights!
This production was just outstanding, and I can most certainly see it going to the bigger theatres. The songs were just fantastic with the whole show being powerful, fearless, full of self-discovery, rebellion a lot of fun thrown in and strong female bonds that appear unbreakable fighting for reproductive rights. Just an amazing show from start to finish and one that definitely shouldn’t be missed!