Blue Stockings - NODA Review

By Rich on 06 September 2026

NODA Review

‘Blue Stockings’ is a thought-provoking play by Jessica Swale. Set in 1896 it highlights the prejudice and sexism faced by four young women enrolled at Girton College, Cambridge and their determination to study and graduate like their male counterparts. Directed by Maria Bates and produced by Amanda Grant, it is a powerful story powerfully told, and I was privileged to be invited to attend the dress rehearsal to review the play. The phrase ‘blue stockings’ refers to the ladies’ university uniform of blue stockings which became a derogatory description given to educated women who were seen to have rejected a traditional caregiving role in pursuit of a higher-level education.

The play starts at the railway station featuring realistic steam and sound effects as the cast nervously assemble preparing for their journey ahead. This is followed by a condescending speech from Doctor Henry Maudsley. Maudsley’s speech typified male attitudes of the time towards the education of women. His misogynistic comments regarding the dangers of women’s education in competition to their male counterparts, would make the ladies of the audience’s blood boil especially accompanied with the sound effects of rapturous applause from the doctor’s obviously male dominated spectators.

In contrast, was the gracious welcome delivered by Mrs Elizabeth Welsh a fervent proponent of women’s right to education, as she stated the benefits of pursuing a higher-level education at the prestigious Girton College, Cambridge.

At the very heart of the story are the four young women. The bright, inquisitive would-be astronomer Tess Moffat, the pragmatic, principled Celia Willbond, free-spirited bohemian Carolyn Addison who aspires to be a doctor and the scholarship student lower-class Maeve Sullivan. All the women are fiercely determined, fuelled by intellectual ambition and a desire to prove their worth.

The ladies are supported by the amiable Mr Banks a staunch supporter of their rights to a higher-level education even at the expense of his own career and the pragmatic, radical Miss Blake who endeavours to encourage the women to become independent thinkers. Russell Hopkin was excellent in the role Mr Banks; his nervous body language and hesitant speech perfectly highlighted his conflicts as he tried in vain to prove that women were equal to men in academic excellence an unpopular opinion with his peers. A man ahead of his time who had to make the ultimate sacrifice for his radical beliefs.

Hayley Goymer brought the right amount of vocal authority and presence to the role of Miss Blake. Her steady voice highlighting her submerged anger and her political views on women’s rights bringing her into conflict with the more conciliating Mrs Welsh determined to get ‘degrees by degrees’ without causing any unpleasantness. Emma Awdry as real-life figure Mrs Elizabeth Welsh was a beacon for women’s right for education and cared deeply for her students, but she also realised that sometimes hard decisions had to be made for the good of the college. Her confrontation scene with Lloyd showed her fury at the injustice as some of the ‘gentlemen’ students showed their savage side.

In opposition are the male students who are initially bemused at the presence of females in the lecture hall; including the naïve, engaging Ralph Mayhew who strikes up a clandestine romance with Tess, the arrogant chauvinistic Lloyd and other colleagues, Holmes, Edwards and Will Bennett a friend of Tess who nurses romantic feelings for her.

These male characters are not presented simply as villains. Some are genuinely sympathetic to the women's cause others are constrained by the attitudes of their time. Robert Bingham as lovesick Ralph Mayhew brought an initial sweetness to his role as he romanced Tess but then cowardice as he succumbed to parental pressure. Logan Leonard as Will Bennett showed emotional growth as he initially refused to stand up for Tess against his peers but eventually admitted his feelings for her. Louis Royce was perfect as the manipulative and deeply jealous Lloyd whose comedy persona developed into something more sinister. Keegan Nuttell-Cartwright as Edwards and Charlie Brewer as Holmes provided the humour bantering with their friends but shocked by unfolding events.

Other characters support the story. The University Professors Collins (Mike Harvey) and Radleigh (Rob Norris) largely supportive of the gentlemen but eventually showing a grudging respect to the women’s contribution and obvious dedication to their learning, also doubled as other characters. Maeve’s brother Billy Sullivan played by Matthew Wilson-Swinney was another well observed character providing the working-class balance against the upper-class students and gave a passionate performance.

Henry Maudlsey was played by Tony Gordon perfectly capturing the pomposity of the eminent real-life psychiatrist and delivering his lectures with the chilling certainty of a nineteenth century academic. His lectures, as invited guest speaker, were regarding Socrates’ controversial theories on female reproduction and the ‘Wandering Womb’ and were especially powerful in their staging. He also played the role of Professor Anderson. In both roles, due to being confined in a wheelchair, he was accompanied by Joanne Moules.

We also have the more traditional female roles of the no-nonsense chaperone Miss Bott (Vicky Lawrie) who ensured that the females on campus stayed respectful avoiding any male fraternising and some delightful caricatures of the Librarian, Minnie the Maid and an angry Lady in the Café played with wit and comic timing by Christabel Edwards.

The female students at Girton, are expected to achieve academically while simultaneously being reminded that becoming too educated might damage any future prospects of marriage, and this aspect was expressed well with Maria’s deft directing ensuring a genuine empathy for the women’s situation without ever becoming a lecturing history lesson by showing us a compelling friendship and female solidarity that gave the production much of its warmth.

Darcey Glenn brought a determination and gravitas to the role of Celia prioritising her studies with a real passion for science. Seemingly detached and aloof, frequently shocked by her other female counterparts but showing a gentle pragmatic approach to Tess over the end of her relationship with Mayhew empathising with her despite not having direct personal experience.

Anna Albuixech brought a delightful mischievousness and levity to the role of Carolyn exuberantly teaching the girls the risqué Can Can, calling it ‘French Folk Dancing’ and encouraging Tess in her clandestine relationship. She was bubbly and vivacious but also had a determination to succeed in her ambitions horrified by Lloyd’s prejudice against her.

Anna Harrison highlighted that Maeve’s circumstances was not simply an issue of gender but also of class. She delivered a passionate performance when her brother Billy returned to remind her of her obligations to her family. She gave a harrowing and heartbreaking performance, betrayed by Mrs Welsh concerned over the college reputation, chastised by her brother and eventually made to sacrifice her ambition for family duty.

Tess is particularly central to the story as she finds herself torn between her studies and her growing feelings for Ralph Mayhew. Their relationship provided some of the play’s most touching moments as they passed fervent messages via library books and met for secret assignations in the orchard. Finabi Hirst played Tess as a feisty, resilient rule breaker with a passion for astronomy. Her expressive facial expressions showed Tess’s emotional journey refusing to back down to the guest speaker Doctor Maudlsey and her heartbreak at Mayhew’s betrayal.

The set was plain but functional with scene changes created by appropriate pieces of furniture brought in by the cast representing the library and the lecture hall. I especially liked the rows of chairs representing the divide between the genders. The orchard was effectively created using the cast themselves as ‘trees’ for Tess and Mayhew to hide behind. Costumes were appropriate to the time period with the ladies wearing long skirts and bustles in bright colours and the men wearing dark greys and black for the upper-class gentlemen and shades of brown for their working-class counterparts.

Well done Maria Bates and Amanda Grant for directing and producing this entertaining yet powerful reminder of just how hard-won some of the opportunities now taken for granted truly were. The uplifting rendition of Gaudeamus Ignitor the university anthem was beautifully sung by the cast and a fitting finale to the performance.