Albany’s Spectrum Theatre’s latest production opens on July 17 and is a hard-hitting contemporary play by Alice Birch that is a departure from the theatre’s usual offering.

Rated MA15+, director Nelson Blake said Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. contained swearing and innuendo but was also full of comic elements and was a feminist reaction to the provocation that well-behaved women seldom make history.

Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2014, the work includes 13 stand-alone scenes over four acts.

The Spectrum Theatre version will be staged with a cast of eight taking on multiple roles.

Blake said the play was challenging for the actors involved.

“The way we are staging this play is unlike anything Spectrum has done before,” he said.

“We’ve really been pushing the ensemble of eight actors beyond their comfort zone.”

So, how come this feminist play has a male director?

“I love the play because of the script and the structure but I did think it needed a female voice in its direction,” Blake said, naming co-director Billie-Jo Whitehead.

Whitehead said the play was going to shock audiences.

“Audiences are in for a surprise,” she said.

“They can expect to be shocked and possibly even offended by some of the subject matter and language, but women unite!”

Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. opens on July 17 and runs to August 8.

Tickets are available at Paperbark Merchants on Albany’s York Street.