A gripping, emotionally rich monodrama that brings Ruth Bader Ginsburg vividly (and vulnerably) to life
Presented by: State Theatre Company of South Australia
Reviewed: 11 April, 2026
The Dunstan Playhouse is plunged into darkness before rousing orchestral music fills the air. When the lights rise, Heather Mitchell stands before us as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. From that moment, it is impossible to look away.
Beginning in 1993, Ruth anxiously awaits a phone call from President Bill Clinton confirming her appointment to the Supreme Court. Using this moment as an anchor point, the story unfolds as a stream of consciousness, moving fluidly between the moments that shaped Ruth. From the tragic loss of her older sister Marylin, to attending a glamorous production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly at age sixteen, and meeting her beloved Marty while studying at Cornell University. RBG is not just a chronicle of Ruth’s many professional triumphs, but a carefully layered exploration of her humanity – her loves, grief, and passion for opera.
Mitchell’s performance is extraordinary. She shifts seamlessly between Ginsburg and Clinton in a sharp exchange. She allows us a glimpse into Ruth’s mind and surprises us with her quippy, honest commentary. She emulates Ruth’s voice and intonation brilliantly, but it is the emotional depth that resonates most. She navigates decades in an instant, shifting voice, posture and presence with astonishing grace and precision.
The production recalls landmark cases, like Reed vs. Reed from 1971. Mitchell’s confidence fills the auditorium as she delivers the seminal line: “The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution does not allow discrimination on the basis of sex.” Though not Ruth’s case, she celebrates the landmark ruling in Roe vs. Wade in 1973, while warning the decision’s broad nature may trigger a backlash one day.
The second half of the play mostly takes place between 2013 and 2020, and introduces a new tension: Ruth’s conversation with President Barack Obama, gently probing whether she might consider retirement. Playwright Suzie Miller carefully explores this question without judgement, but rather explores the complexity behind Ruth’s decision. Ruth’s fierce commitment to her work, whether in the majority or dissent, is legendary.
Despite its weight, the play is laced with humour – wry, sharp and disarming. RBG is many things: monodrama, comedy, romance, and above all an intimate portrait of a complex woman whose wisdom is just as insightful today, in our topsy-turvy political climate. Heather Mitchell deserves her standing ovation, for her exquisite and nuanced performance.
Reviewed by Nicola Woolford
Photo credit: Daniel Boud
Venue: Dunstan Playhouse
Season: 10 April – 2 May, 2026
Duration: 100 minutes, with no interval
Tickets: $33 (full time student) – $139 (full price, A Reserve)
Bookings: https://my.statetheatrecompany.com.au/overview/rbg-of-many-one
