The creation from co-writers and co-creators Claire Watson and Virginia Gay, Mama Does Derby slams into the Sydney Festival 50th anniversary program as the Sydney Town Hall is converted into a roller rink set into a traverse stage.
Staged by Windmill Production Company, and directed by Watson, Mama is essentially a story about a mother, Maxine (Amber McMahon) trying to navigate her relationship with her increasingly unsettled daughter Billie (Elvy-Lee Quici) which only leads her into a new role of becoming her BFF.
Based loosely on Watson’s own formative experience, we find the pair in yet another country town, without any roots or aims, until Maxine finds a place in the local roller skating derby community, which only alienates Billie even further.
Yes, this is the same roller skating derby of sixties weekend television where teams of powerful women would skate like hell and slam into each other to score points.
Once this was among the most watched televised sports in the world, but it died off due to being over-orchestrated and too formulaic. It is now seeing a revival both as a local sport and again on the small screen with a much more individualistic and punk approach.
The team featured in Mama Does Derby is made up of the Sydney Derby League with names like “BB Gun” and “Ziggy Wheeldust” and these are not gals to be messed with as they barrel around the rink and feign competitive moves with great effect.
There are also some great comedic moments between Maxine and Billie and none more so than when they both take driving lessons.
The momentum is kept high with the help of a live band, under the auspices of Joe Paradise Lui, and aided by bassist Calliope Jackson and drummer Antione Jelk, who also doubles up as the driving instructor and a most effective MC for the big derby clash.
Unrecognisable as Billie’s demon Nathan, Benjamin Hancock is the slinkiest of nightmares, able to perform extraordinary contortions while clad entirely in a high-heeled costume designed by Jonathan Oxlade.
Oxlade is also responsible for another character, the ingenuous modular set that transforms into various domestic locations, and is somehow able to pivot on itself.
At times those configurations also includes the band, which is reminiscent of Sydney hardcore heroes of the nineties, The Hard-Ons. They make the most of power chords and rock classics such as Oasis’ banger Roll With It and the Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart.
Annabel Matheson shines as Drew and the therapist Agatha. Minor characters include Dave (Dylan Miller), a bumbling suitor and a touching performance from Aud Mason-Hyde as Hux.
The opening sparring dialogue could be sharpened up with bit more bite, but over all, for a premiere production, this is an accomplished and enjoyable work where the metaphor between the roller derby moves and the relationship between Mama Maxine and Billie work well.
Mama Does Derby
Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney
Performance: Sunday 18 January 2026
Season continues to 22 January 2026
Bookings: www.sydneyfestival.org.au
Following the Sydney Season, Mama Does Derby will be presented at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, as part of the 2026 Adelaide Festival, from 27 February – 8 March. For more information, visit: www.windmill.org.au for details.
Images: Mama Does Derby – photos by Claudio Raschella
Review: John Moyle