Liliana Padilla’s play, HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF begins with a brisk banter between Mexican spitfire, Diana, and her college campus colleague, the more demure, Mojdeh. These girls have signed up for a self defence course following a sexual assault on another student.

The course is run by Brandi, a Barbie doll cheerleader armed with affirmative acclamations and fervent catchphrases, aided by the more acerbic, Kara.

Latecomer, Nikki, completes the quintet as they spar both physically and vocally, the narrative adding surprising layers onto the concept and definition of self defence. Peer pressure, political correctness, passion and desire, pervasive patriarchy all come under the microscope of personal introspection and public debate.

Enter the males. Andy, charming, self-assured, overtly supportive of the women and Eggo, also seemingly supportive, but confused to the point of becoming an Incel, descending into disrespectful language at a perceived slight on his sexual performance.

HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF opens up discussion about rape culture, which is anything that chips away at female self respect and gives males permission to feel entitled, more important, to take without thinking, without conscience, without consent.

Under the deft direction of Claudia Barrie, the seven strong cast move with finessed physical play and adroitness in dialogue delivery, impressively defending against dull.

Georgia Anderson gives a crackling combustible rendition of Diana, who would be just as happy holding a hand gun as learning techniques in hand to hand combat.

Madeline Dona plays Mojdeh with an almost Pollyannaish urge to please, putting peers and prospective partners before herself.

Brittany Santariga as Brandi, projects a confident patina around a brittle core, while Jessica Spies as Kara is wickedly spiky, a prickly, protective projection, a self defence, perhaps, of her own deep desires.

Jessica Paterson as Nikki nuances nervousness and anxiety, personifying the fear and unease felt by many women via the demeaning demeanour of far too many men.

Michael Cameron and Saro Lepejian as Andy and Eggo present a couple of blokes baffled and almost cripplingly confused, aiming for empathy but struggling with sexual stereo types that society sanction.

Comforting in its comedy, confronting in its drama, engaging and enraging, miss HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF  and you simply won’t know how to defend yourself.

HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF plays The Old Fitz through to September 3.

Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30, Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 5pm