Well Behaved Women is a brisk and buoyant new comedy that gleefully dismantles the preconceived idea of Victorian womanhood. Set in 1883, it follows three young women—Marianne, an Irish maid determined to be taken seriously as a writer; Emma, a music teacher of Caribbean descent feeling the pressure of being unmarried at 27; and Hattie, the lady of the manor who likes a stiff drink, —as they concoct a plan to host a fake séance in order to charm and swindle the pompous aristocrat, and cousin of Hattie, Chester.

What begins as a harmless ruse quickly spirals into delightful farce. The séance delivers more than they bargain for, sending events hurtling from witty banter into supernatural chaos. The script crackles with quick-fire jokes offering a feminist undercurrent and also has a more serious message of the racist opinions of the time.

The cast bring considerable energy to the piece. Marianne’s righteous frustration, Emma’s fluttering optimism, and Hattie’s dry irreverence create a well-balanced trio whose contrasting personalities keep the pace sharp. The ensemble’s timing is particularly effective in the show’s more chaotic sequences, where the comedy depends on split-second delivery.

 While the sheer speed of the dialogue occasionally threatens to overrun the punchlines, the result is an hour that feels tightly packed with humour and charm.

This is not a history lesson but a spirited, slightly anarchic tribute to friendship, ambition, and the joy of upending expectations. Well worth 70 minutes of your time!

Reviewed by Rona