Woman Business at Jack Studio Theatre Review
Shilpa Varma in Woman Business. Photo: Anna Mclaren
Written by Penny for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Woman Business is a one-woman play, written and performed by Shilpa Varma, presented by Footfalls Theatre Company.
It’s about identity, belonging, and what it means to be a brown woman and follows Diya, a woman shaped by inherited rituals and the expectations placed upon her as she moves between cultures, roles and generations of memory. The play asks us to consider: what happens when a woman finally begins to speak in her own voice?
As we enter the auditorium, Varma is sitting centre stage on a small wooden box. She’s a small, hunched figure, an old lady. Behind her, saris of all different colours hang on a washing line. As the lights dim, this old lady suddenly jumps up, ducks behind the washing line and emerges as a 12 year old girl – a total change in energy and posture that instantly grabs attention. Over the course of the next 70 minutes, she will tell Diya’s story – taking us through her memories of being a daughter, student, wife, mother, widow – a full circle that shows us the life and experiences that have shaped her as she also establishes herself as an individual with something to say for herself. As the story unfolds, she puts a different sari over her basic costume, folding them away in the box as time moves on. It’s a very simple but very effective way of marking her life stages.
The “woman business” of the title is a reference to a woman’s monthly cycle and also the expectations of women in a culture that still leans heavily into rituals, traditions and superstition. We learn that during her period, a woman is considered “impure” for three days and then later that a widow is seen as a threat to other wives. Varma covers these attitudes, anathema to a Western audience, without actually challenging them, but her tone and delivery make it clear that she feels stifled by the rules of her culture.
Diya’s marriage takes her to London where the colourful sari is replaced by an ill-fitting cardigan. She talks about how a “small brown woman” is all but invisible in a predominantly white society – her invisibility is a recurring theme and delivered seemingly with a quiet acceptance, but still in a way that does not attempt to hide the frustrations that are just beneath the surface.
The writing mixes poetry and prose – with strong imagery and repetition to heighten the emotions behind the words. Diya wants us to know she is more than a wife and mother - she’s a writer and her ideas are clearly bursting to get free. There’s also a clear clash of cultures with stories of Indian folklore and ritual offset by mundane anecdotes about Vicks Vapor Rub, biscuits and toilet rolls.
Initially, unfamiliar cultural references can be a little hard to follow, but the strength of Varma’s performance and presence means that it does not take long to get into the flow of the piece. She is an incredibly charming and engaging performer and easily draws us into her story, also taking on the roles of other significant characters in Diya’s life. At one point she invites an audience member to join her on stage to dance – this, of course, relies on the willingness of that audience member to let go and does feel a little awkward and unnecessary – Varma is strong enough on her own to make a connection with her audience.
The performance is supported with an excellent soundscape that’s never overwhelming but a constant and subtle accompaniment that transports us to the frenetic streets of Mumbai. A mix of traditional and modern music further emphasises the different cultures that we’re seeing.
This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking piece of theatre. Shilpa Varma has told a story that absolutely highlights the experience of a “small brown woman”. Whether it is based on her own life experiences, those of other women she knows or mostly from her imagination, she tells this story with authenticity, passion and conviction. It has plenty of humour as well as some genuinely heart-breaking moments, with an ending that is both emotional and uplifting. It’s a unique and powerful piece of theatre.
Woman Business runs at the Jack Studio Theatre until Saturday 27th June 2026.
★★★★