Garage Girls

la mama presents a collaboration between Three Birds Theatre and the shift theatre. Garage Girls tells the story of Alice Anderson. Mechanic. Trailblazer. Entrepreneur. A rollicking ride through 1920’s Melbourne! Imagine…1920s Melbourne-the advent of the motorcar! Society reels from the aftermath of war and a second wave of Spanish flu wreaks havoc on the streets. Theatres buzz with vaudeville hacks and men with an eye for enterprise seize every opportunity to weasel wealth.

Meanwhile, one small woman defies convention and makes her mark. Part history, part farce, part who-done-it, Garage Girls shines a light on one remarkable young woman’s short but eventful life. Who was Alice Anderson? Why did she drive her baby Austin all the way to Alice Springs? Who were all those women, dressed in greasy dungarees, and don’t they look a little bit like men? Sparked by actual events and a healthy dose of magic realism, breathtaking sound design and many colourful characters, played by five actors-Garage Girls is a rip-roaring ride celebrating a Victorian icon. Welcome to Miss Anderson’s All Girl Garage!

“Sharp as a razor, very witty, very funny and beautifully directed with much visual humour.” – Stage Whispers

“Superb performances, an outstanding ensemble…This is first class storytelling..” – Theatrepeople

Supported by The City Of Melbourne Arts Grants.

Inspired by “A Spanner in the Works: The extraordinary story of Alice Anderson and Australia’s first all-girl garage” by Loretta Smith 2019.

Content Warnings: Adult themes and loud noises

Producers: Three Birds Theatre and The Shift Theatre

Writers: Candace Miles, Madelaine Nunn and Anna Rodway (Three Birds Theatre) in collaboration with Carolyn Bock and Helen Hopkins (The Shift Theatre)

Directed by: Janice Muller

Performed by: Carolyn Bock, Helen Hopkins, Candace Miles, Madelaine Nunn and Anna Rodway

Set/Costume Design: Sophie Woodward and Jacob Battista

Lighting Design: Gina Gascoigne

Sound Design: Rachel Stone

Stage Management: Claire Shepherd

Image by Tony Rive.