Roller Derby Skater Maddy Wilkinson's Role in 'Mama Does Derby'
Maddy Wilkinson, a 24-year-old jammer for Adelaide's Wild Hearses roller derby team, is recognized for her speed and ability to navigate opponents. Standing at 156cm, Wilkinson utilizes shoulders, hips, and the side of her body for legal contact during play. She previously sustained a collarbone injury during junior league competition.
Australian Roller Derby Landscape
Competitive roller derby was established in Australia in 2007, with initial leagues forming in Adelaide and Melbourne. The sport has expanded to include over 80 men's, women's, mixed, and junior leagues nationwide. Participants often adopt theatrical names. The community is characterized by its diversity in bodies, sexualities, and identities, actively supporting non-binary individuals, as exemplified by a team that renamed itself 'The Salties'. The sport was initially promoted as a community for women.
'Mama Does Derby' Theatrical Production
Wilkinson is scheduled to perform in the play 'Mama Does Derby' at Sydney town hall and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre theatre as part of the Sydney and Adelaide festivals. The production was co-created by director Clare Watson and writer Virginia Gay. The play draws inspiration from Watson's experiences and centers on a single mother who joins a roller derby team as a means to connect with her 16-year-old daughter.
Each performance will feature 10 experienced roller derby competitors (two teams of five) executing choreographed sequences. These sequences will involve moving set pieces around the actors on a full-scale, custom-built oval track. In Sydney, the performance will occur in the round within the 137-year-old town hall. The production team has noted precautions regarding the venue's Tasmanian blackwood and tallowwood floor and the grand organ.
Wilkinson's Roller Derby Background
Wilkinson has been roller skating since age six. She joined the Wild Hearses in 2023, adopting the derby name 'BB Gun' in tribute to Sarah Strong-Law, also known as Barrelhouse Bessy. Strong-Law, the founder of roller derby in Adelaide, passed away in a road accident in 2022.
Genesis of the Play
Clare Watson, the play's director, became involved in roller derby later in life and observed Strong-Law compete in 2008. Watson subsequently enrolled in beginners' training with the Victorian Roller Derby League, often accompanied by her daughter, Ivy. Watson's decision to pursue roller derby artistically, rather than competitively, was influenced by an incident where a skater sustained a severe facial injury during a bout.
Watson proposed the play concept to Virginia Gay, her collaborator. Gay, initially hesitant due to her lack of experience with roller skating or roller derby, agreed after being convinced by Watson. Gay conducted research by attending bouts and interviewing athletes.
Characters, Themes, and Musical Elements
The play features characters Maxine, portrayed by Amber McMahon, and her 16-year-old daughter, Billie, played by Elvy-Lee Quici. Maxine, who adopts the derby name 'Mad Max,' develops an interest in the sport, while Billie shows preference for car mechanics over roller skates. Ivy Watson serves as a script consultant for the production. The play addresses themes of body image, sexuality, and gender diversity.
Joe Lui, the musical director, has arranged for a live three-piece band consisting of bass, drums, and guitar. The musical score is designed to differentiate the characters: Maxine's sound incorporates punk rock influences, while Billie's sound is characterized by a lighter, more ethereal quality.
Collaborative Aspects
Watson has described the collaboration with her daughter, Ivy, on the play as a positive experience. Ivy has since graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts, aspiring to a career in theatre.