Following the runaway success of Helen Clark in Six Outfits, Auckland Theatre Company returns with another compelling portrait of an iconic figure, bringing Sydney Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of RBG: Of Many, One to New Zealand audiences for a strictly limited season.
Written by celebrated playwright Suzie Miller, directed by Priscilla Jackman, and anchored by a sensational solo performance from Heather Mitchell, RBG: Of Many, One chronicles the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the most influential legal minds of the modern era. The result is a smart, funny, deeply moving piece of theatre that proves both entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure.
The Story Of A Trailblazer
For many, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became known as the “Notorious RBG” — a pop culture icon whose face launched a thousand memes. But before becoming a cultural phenomenon, Ginsburg was a pioneering lawyer and jurist who spent her life fighting for equality, fairness, and justice under the law.
Miller’s script explores Ginsburg’s extraordinary journey through three defining periods of her later life: her appointment to the United States Supreme Court in 1993, a reflective lunch with President Barack Obama in 2014, and her final years in 2018 as she considers her legacy and the future of the nation she served.
Moving seamlessly between these moments, the production charts the triumphs, challenges, and defining cases that shaped Ginsburg’s career. More importantly, it reveals the woman behind the public image, presenting an intimate portrait filled with intelligence, humour, determination, and heart.
Suzie Miller Brings The Law To Life
Having built an international reputation with productions such as Prima Facie, Miller once again demonstrates her remarkable ability to make legal themes engaging and emotionally resonant.
Rather than simply delivering a theatrical biography, RBG: Of Many, One examines how Ginsburg’s personal experiences informed her legal philosophy. Landmark cases such as Reed v. Reed, Frontiero v. Richardson, and Ledbetter v. Goodyear are woven throughout the narrative, allowing audiences to understand the significance of Ginsburg’s work and the impact it had on generations of women.
The production also tackles Ginsburg’s complex relationship with politics, exploring how a woman who fiercely believed in judicial independence found herself increasingly drawn into America’s political battleground. Throughout it all, Miller balances weighty subject matter with warmth, wit, and humanity, ensuring the play remains accessible and engaging.
Heather Mitchell Delivers A Masterclass
At the centre of the production stands Heather Mitchell, and her performance is simply extraordinary.
Carrying the entire production on her shoulders for 90 uninterrupted minutes, Mitchell commands the stage from the moment she appears. Her portrayal captures every facet of Ginsburg’s character, from ambitious young lawyer to revered Supreme Court Justice, while never losing sight of the humanity that made her such a beloved figure.
Mitchell moves effortlessly between drama and comedy, often drawing big laughs from the audience before pivoting into moments of genuine emotional power. Her physical transformation across the decades is especially impressive, with subtle changes in movement, posture, and voice creating a believable portrait of Ginsburg at different stages of her life.
Adding to the show’s charm is Mitchell’s direct engagement with the audience. Breaking the fourth wall on multiple occasions, she invites viewers into Ginsburg’s story, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and immersive.
A Must-See Theatrical Experience
Blending intelligence, humour, and heartfelt reflection, RBG: Of Many, One succeeds as both an entertaining evening of theatre and a thoughtful examination of one of history’s most influential legal figures.
Suzie Miller’s sharp script and Heather Mitchell’s remarkable performance combine to create a production that is insightful, inspiring, and thoroughly absorbing. Whether you’re familiar with Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story or discovering it for the first time, this is a theatrical experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Thoughtful, engaging, and powered by a truly exceptional central performance, RBG: Of Many, One stands as one of Auckland Theatre Company’s most rewarding productions of the year.
RBG: Of Many, One is on for a limited season NOW at Auckland Waterfront Theatre.
Image: Auckland Theatre Company
