‘The Salonnières’ at Cabrillo Playhouse

6 hours ago

1 min read

Behind powdered wigs and polite society, a group of women finds freedom through storytelling and rebellion.

From left, Megan Theodorou and Carla Naragon. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse

By Anne Reid

Set in Paris before the French Revolution, Liz Duffy Adams' “The Salonnières” follows Madeleine, a young woman whose father has arranged for her to marry an older nobleman to settle his debts. Desperate to escape the marriage, she seeks refuge with her late mother's friends, a group of aristocratic women who gather in a literary salon to share stories and discuss ideas considered radical for their time. When her intended husband arrives looking for her, the women must find a way to protect her. But it’s Françoise, the salon's maid, who ultimately becomes the unlikely hero.

The gathered women use familiar fairy tales to challenge the traditional roles of wives and daughters, turning stories about obedience into opportunities to question male authority. Yet while these aristocratic women.... [ Read the full article for free here ]