Entertainment
26 September, 2025
Dark comedy is pure genius
AUDIENCES are set for a theatrical ride through centuries of art and culture when JUTE Theatre Company premieres Genius, a dark comedy inspired by the life of 17th-century painter Artemisia Gentileschi.
The Cairns season runs from 26 September to 4 October at Bulmba-ja Theatre.
Written by Darwin playwright Sandra Thibodeaux and directed by Nicky Fearn, Genius leaps between Artemisia’s Renaissance studio and the contemporary world of street art, exploring creativity, ambition and the enduring challenges faced by female artists.
“It’s a really interesting piece about Artemisia Gentileschi … paralleled with a contemporary story. Different women, different times, same issue. How do they survive in a world where they have to really struggle for equality, for rights?,” Ms Fearn said.
“It’s a comedy. It’s a bit grisly in parts, which is comic. So, it’s fun … there will be a big sense of fun in the production, as well as learning about this extraordinary painter.”
Natalie Taylor, who plays Artemisia, described her character as a trailblazing figure: “She’s a powerful woman who wasn’t restricted by the norms of the time … not only her talent and skill as a painter, but her fearlessness and resilience and ability to overcome challenges and tragedies and inspire other women.”
The production draws on both historical research and contemporary issues. Ms Fearn highlighted the parallels between Artemisia’s Renaissance world and today’s MeToo-era challenges for female artists.
“The work inspired Sandra… she could walk for hours in contemporary museums before finding any work by women artists. This was also the time of #MeToo, so she was paralleling the two worlds,” she said.
Ms Taylor echoed the relevance: “There’s still a lot that needs to change now, even though women were trying to change things over 400 years ago … there are still amazing female artists facing the same challenges Artemisia did hundreds of years ago.”
A collaborative effort between creatives based in Cairns and Darwin, the show features five actors, including Daniella Aquilina as Miss Ella, Thomas Midena, Cat Hart and Stevie Jean Kyriacou.
Ms Taylor praised the teamwork: “A show this big would be hard to put on as a single theatre company … to collaborate is really great, because it gets another life in Darwin and creates opportunities for artists to connect and network.”
Despite only three weeks of rehearsal, both Ms Fearn and Ms Taylor said the cast and crew poured their heart into the production. “Come along, it’s going to be fun,” Ms Fearn said.
Tickets for Genius are available at www.bit.ly/3KaPSo2
