A powerful new stage production is bringing the raw energy and fierce community of roller derby to Australian audiences, transforming a personal story of a single mother's search for belonging into a theatrical spectacle.
From the Track to the Stage: A Mother's Story
The play, Mama Does Derby, is co-created by theatre-maker Clare Watson and writer Virginia Gay. It draws directly from Watson's own experiences as a single mother who discovered roller derby later in life. The narrative centres on Maxine, a chaotic single mum who joins a roller derby team in an attempt to connect with her more responsible 16-year-old daughter, Billie.
Watson's own journey into the sport began in 2008 when she attended her first bout at the Puckhandlers rink in north-east Melbourne. She was instantly captivated. "The athleticism, the strength, the power, the agility, also the theatre of the thing, their sense of character as performers," she recalls. She even signed up for beginners training with the Victorian Roller Derby League, often bringing her young daughter, Ivy, along.
Real Skaters, Real Stakes: The Show's Dynamic Cast
The production blurs the line between sport and performance by featuring ten experienced roller derby competitors who skate on a full-scale, custom-built oval track installed in the venues. Among them is Maddy "BB Gun" Wilkinson, a 24-year-old jammer for the Adelaide team the Wild Hearses.
Wilkinson, who stands at 156cm, is known for her speed and fearlessness. "I use my shoulders a lot: shoulders, hips, the side of the body are all legal zones," she explains, though she emphasises the sport's rules against punching or kicking. Her derby name honours her late mentor, Sarah Strong-Law (Barrelhouse Bessy), the Texan founder of roller derby in Adelaide, who died in a road accident in 2022.
The show is a significant logistical feat. For its Sydney Festival run, a full track and central stage will be installed in the round at the 137-year-old Sydney Town Hall, with careful precautions taken to protect the historic parquetry floor and the grand organ. The Adelaide performances will take place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre theatre.
A Sport Built on Community and Identity
Since competitive roller derby began in Australia in 2007, it has grown to include over 80 men's, women's, mixed, and junior leagues nationwide. The sport is celebrated for its theatricality, with players adopting flamboyant names like Bionic Mayhem and Judge Juicy, but it is perhaps more renowned for fostering an inclusive community for women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Wilkinson notes that while derby was originally promoted as a women's community activity, it now boasts a massive queer skater base. This ethos of inclusivity is woven into the fabric of Mama Does Derby. Playwright Virginia Gay, who initially turned the project down due to her lack of skating or parenting experience, was won over after extensive research. "The show explores body and sexuality and gender diversity, but it doesn't point at them too hard," Gay says of the narrative.
The creative process has been a family affair for Clare Watson. Her daughter, Ivy, acted as a script consultant, energetically defending her on-stage avatar. Watson reflects proudly on their collaboration: "She's so independent and creative and marvellous. And we're meeting in a different place as great friends."
With a live three-piece band providing a soundtrack that ranges from punk rock riot grrrl anthems for the mother to ethereal Billie Eilish-inspired tones for the daughter, Mama Does Derby is a unique fusion of sport, personal drama, and high-octane theatre. It runs at Sydney Town Hall from 15 to 22 January as part of Sydney Festival, before moving to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre from 27 February to 8 March for Adelaide Festival.
