Review: FORTIFIED (starring Amity Dry)

As a girl growing up, Amity Dry wanted nothing more than to be a real life princess – marry her prince, build her castle and live happily ever after. Her fairytale, however, wasn’t so simple. Following a public divorce from her husband, Dry is a voice for married women in unhappy unions. The metaphorical princess story is well suited to her Disney princess-like vocal ability, with clear high notes and classic ballads throughout the piece.

The obligatory Tinder banter makes an appearance with the usual cynicism, although some of her comedic timing is slow paced and misses the mark. A yoga mat makes for an unnecessary prop which could easily be done without.

It is her closing remarks which make a poignant statement. Dry clearly recognises and acknowledges her privilege and her ability to ‘easily’ walk away from her marriage with her children. Many women are not so lucky. Domestic violence, emotional abuse and financial dependency are just some of the reasons Dry recognises as barriers for leaving relationships.

Dry has quite a narrow audience diversity and the cabaret structure is anything but groundbreaking, but her reflections of social pressures on straight women are important. Although it misses some of the marks, FORTIFIED is an uplifting and hopeful piece with a solid social message.