The Lismore Theatre Company is in rehearsals for its new play, Female of the Species, at Rochdale Theatre, with tickets on sale now. Opening night is Friday, October 24, with performances running over three weekends, until Saturday, November 8.

Female of the Species has been critically acclaimed, with Australian Stage saying, "The Female of the Species is a witty, sassy, and intelligent comedy from one of Australia’s leading playwrights,” and Variety saying, “A lacerating farcical attack on 'old-style' feminism.”

Margot Mason, hardcore feminist, writer and cutting-edge academic, has writer's block while working on her latest book; she knows it has to match her seminal creation, 'The Cerebral Vagina,' and she is stuck in a rut.

In comes Molly, a devoted fan who wants Margot to account for the beliefs she has espoused throughout her career.

Margot must face the harsh truth about her life's work and defend her actions with both Molly, her own daughter, Tess, her publisher, a random taxi driver, and finally, the audience.

(The cast of Female of the Species at rehearsals)

This play was first performed in 2006 and is loosely based on the real-life experience of Germaine Greer when she was held hostage by a former student.

Joanna Murray-Smith is a prolific writer, with a body of work that continues to have a significant impact on the performing arts landscape both here in Australia and internationally.

Director Junia Wulf is working with a dedicated group of actors, many of whom are new to the Lismore Theatre Company, and are excited to be working on this extremely funny play that demonstrates that the female of the species is not only deadlier but also funnier than the male.

Performances begin on Friday, the 24th of October, and will run over 3 weekends, finishing on Saturday, the 8th of November 2025

Toni Forbes, who plays Margot, said, "The play is so well written, it is sharp, funny and very clever. It's definitely a play that will incite a fun discussion well after the final bows."

Zoe Buckley Lennox, who plays Molly, said, "I think this show is wickedly funny, insightful and also bleak in its comments. It wrestles with the fallibility of celebrity in our society, the messiness of (white) feminism, stereotypes and frustrations of humans trying to navigate and do good in capitalistic Western society, hell bent of profit and exploitation."

Tickets are on sale now through Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DEFQO. Tickets are $30 for a single ticket and $25 for pensioners and students.