Sheffield University Theatre Company's latest production, ‘Swap the Press’, took its audience on a captivating journey into a 1960s British television newsroom - with a twist.
Created by students Francesca Vercoe and Charles Wright, the performance flipped traditional gender roles giving women the power and putting men in the fight for equality.
The concept not only shed light on the absurdity of gender roles of the era, but also highlighted the media's role in perpetuating them.
What set ‘Swap the Press’ apart was its brilliant use of real 1960s headlines turned on their head, elevating the performance from mere gender role reversal to a production that felt as if it belonged on the National Theatre stage.
Despite its serious and thought-provoking themes, the cast constantly injected humour, making each character endearing despite their significant flaws. From Ambrose Robinson's exaggerated facial expressions as Billy to Ciaran Constable's audience nods as Thomas, the characters each had a distinct charm.
Following intermission, we see the roles beginning to turn, particularly through a major transformation of Edward (Patrick Gregan) and Michael (Joseph Judd). This shift steered the performance from a satirical discussion of sexism to a profound exploration of gender imbalance.
While the first half could stand alone as a thought-provoking commentary on gender relationships and media headlines, the character development in the second half delved deeper into the core issues of gender inequality.
Ending with a sinister twist, it left a lasting impression about the challenges of completely reversing gender norms. Despite effectively flipping the switch on ‘60s gender norms, fundamental aspects of gender remained, with topics such as contraception being discussed from the get-go.
A key takeaway from the second half of the show was male strength being an undeniable fear-factor in gender power dynamics. While women could leverage their social power in the workplace, once the fight for equality saw success, men could not only do this but also dominate through their physical power too.
Considering this shift, Georgia Cook’s portrayal of Jean really stood out. Constantly confident in her character, she played the role perfectly, balancing the aspects of both power and fear Jean felt throughout the show. She wasn’t afraid of making eye-contact with her audience and seemed assured in the part she was playing constantly. Even I was scared of her to start, but somehow left the theatre wishing I could give her a hug.
‘Swap the Press’ offers a unique perspective on a pivotal period in history, challenging traditional gender norms and giving a voice to those seeking equality.
This production not only provides entertainment but also sparks conversations about the societal changes that have taken place since the 1960s. It's a thought-provoking and engaging theatrical experience that skilfully combines humour, drama, and social commentary.
Edited by Bethia Wyborn