By Kelsey Rogers, Asst. living & arts editor
“Blue Stockings,” a play about women attempting to attain their educational rights in the late 1800s, will premiere on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Degenstein Center Theater.
The cast will also perform on April 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Written by Jessica Swale in 2012 and produced in 2013, the story follows four young women at Girton College in Cambridge. All of the women are referred to as “blue stockings,” a derogatory term used in the 1800s to describe intelligent women.
The play begins with a warning from a male professor, Dr. Maudsley, who speaks to the audience and says that education for women is a dangerous idea. The four women then direct their energy into a campaign that will allow them to receive an equal degree from their male counterparts at the end of their studies.
He then says that women should not be entered in an intellectual race with men at university and that their lives should be determined by their biological and reproductive functions.
Maudsley gives a lecture about female hysteria, frequently ignoring the female students and claims that women have inferior moral strength and a weak mind in comparison to their male counterparts. One of the women, Tess, attempts to challenge Maudsley during the lecture. In response, Maudsley claims Tess’ beliefs are a direct result of female hysteria and forces her to leave the lecture.
The other women also overcome many challenges as they attempt to pursue their education. Teachers become frustrated with them as they claim that the sciences are more important than the arts.
One of the students, Maeve, is faced with a difficult decision when her brother arrives at the college and announces that their mother has died. Maeve is suddenly needed to be the woman of the house, but she wants to remain at the university and continue her education.
The head of Girton College fears that Maeve’s situation would promote the argument that educated women would be discouraged toward family life. She tells Maeve that she must leave the university and Maeve is completely heartbroken. The situation inspires Tess to write an essay on the scientific explanation for the Star of Bethlehem.
The play uses themes of the concept of the “new woman” that was emerging in the late 1800s and has themes of feminism that audience members can relate to in modern times.
Junior Matthew Sharrock emphasized the feminist themes in the play.
“The content of the play speaks volumes to what can be achieved with will and determination,” Sharrock said. “The women of Girton are constantly faced with opposition from the men at Trinity, but the women don’t let the words and actions of the Trinity men get the best of them.”
“From the beginning of the play, the women are faced with the choice of ‘love or knowledge,’” Sharrock continued. “They are told they must eventually choose one and leave the other.”
First-year Emily Dellinger, who is assistant stage manager for “Blue Stockings,” said she has seen progression with the cast of the show.
“I’ve been involved since the auditions, so I’ve been able to watch the actors really dig into their characters and develop them into real, relatable people on the stage,” Dellinger said.
Her favorite element of the show is the set, which follows an open concept.
“Our use of an abstract and minimal set design really leaves the setting up to the audience to imagine where the action of the play is taking place,” Dellinger said.
“Blue Stockings” has an underclassman dominated cast with first-years Mary Cote, Erin Markham, Dylan Taylor, Samuel Emmanuel, Jacob Runkel and Rowan Miller. Sophomores Brian Herrmann, Lena Costello, Madison Niness, Nick Cardillo, Nolan Nightingale, Katy Trunz, Charlie Reisman and Sarah McMillin are also in the cast.
Juniors Sharrock, Matt Lucero, Amber Legge, Daniel Reynolds, Sydni Holloway and senior Abby Co
