Silently Screaming | Independent Production
Driven by an entirely all female production team, ‘Silently Screaming’ is more than a play - it’s women’s empowerment in action.
A visceral production that packed intense energy into a small venue, ‘Silently Screaming’ captured the raw and inventive spirit of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. This dynamic cast and crew crafted an intimate journey about the complexities young women face whilst finding their voice.
On a stripped-down stage with plain costuming, the audience’s attention is brought to the text - a story of healing written by Amy Penning. In one act of 60 minutes, Penning addresses matters of family trauma, abuse, body dysmorphia, sexual assault, and boundary setting. As the sole performer, Penning embraces the challenge of performing a work that seems deeply personal in nature. Performing your own words is a daunting endeavour, but Penning’s delivery owns each word with honesty and authenticity. Penning tripled as the producer of this work, and the warmth and tenderness invested into this production is evident.
Photographer Not Specified
Photographer Not Specified
Directed by Marjorie Rodriguez, ‘Silently Screaming’ is a gentle performance rooted in realism. The rhythmic and stylistic choices Rodriguez chose built the internal and external world of the main character. Her direction guided an authentic and emotionally honest performance. Working under Rodriguez’s directorship, Myra Barber designed the lighting and sound of this production. Barber’s work highlighted the changing scenery of this non-linear story. With lifelike lighting and sound, Barber’s design organically shifted through the moments of the story. The stage was intentionally left bare and projected design denoted setting. The illustrations, created by Ash Ryan, whose art was sketched in style with a soft colour palette, paid homage to the inner child of the main character.
This play showcases the evolution of a young, timid people pleaser, “I thought it was kind to put others before me”, to a courageous woman with power in her voice who “enjoyed being a leader.” Exploring the tumultuous, yet deeply resonate mother-daughter relationship, this show charts a path towards the realization that a parent is still a flawed human being trying their best. ‘Silently Screaming’ bravely tackles generational trauma, illustrating the moment of clarity when a person commits to the difficult, necessary, and long process of healing. As the production confronts a wide variety of sensitive topics, I invite the production team to consider the use of trigger warnings to inform the audience prior to the commencement of the show.
Painting a strong moment in time with deep authenticity, the production team are to be commended on how well the show resonated with the audience in attendance. With a distinct voice and raw execution, this production is a dramatic addition to the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Production: Silently Screaming
Playwright: Amy Penning
Company: Independent Production
Dates: 16th October - 19th October 2025
Venue: Club Voltaire