My Name is Rachel Corrie is an inspiring one-and-a-half-hour, one-woman play starring Australian actress Courtney Miller, who portrays Rachel Corrie, an American aid worker from Olympia, Washington, who traveled to Palestine to protest the demolition of civilian homes.

The play effectively demonstrates the biography and experiences Rachel faced throughout her life, which were depicted throughout the performance, giving the audience background details on who Corrie was as a person. Dramatic and emotional music was also played throughout to create an ambiance, helping the audience understand what living in Palestine might have been like. Moreover, the play featured strong emotional dialogue, giving the audience a different perspective on Corrie’s story, making the experience mesmerizing.

Furthermore, the play took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, depicting Corrie’s dangerous and heart-wrenching situations while living in Palestine. For example, the IDF yelling at her and soldiers standing in watchtowers all over the place enhanced the immersive and gripping nature of the play. Another aspect I really liked was how the play consisted of mini-stories from Corrie’s life before and during her time in Gaza, and how it included facts about the Gaza-Palestinian conflict, giving the audience knowledge they might not have had before.

The play also had moments of humor, which gave the heavy topic a lighter side and added a comedic element. A unique aspect I found interesting was how Courtney Miller, portraying Rachel Corrie, placed letters on the wall throughout the play. By the end, these letters spelled out a message that resonates deeply with every human: “Everyone must feel safe.” This inspiring quote added depth and was a strong creative element to the play.  The play also briefly shows a short clip depicting the events leading up to and following Rachel Corrie’s death.

Overall, My Name is Rachel Corrie is a fantastic production that beautifully captures the emotional and intriguing story of Rachel Corrie. I recommend it to people who can handle the heavy topic of war, although it may not be suitable for younger audiences due to occasional inappropriate language and mature themes.

The play is still playing at Theatre Redfern, and you can grab your tickets on Trybooking!