The rights of women and young girls will continue to be a talking point and an issue continually fought for until equality has truly been achieved. Roughly ’15 million girls are married every year before they reach 18 years old, 1 in 3 girls in the developing world are married by age 18 and 1 in 9 married by age 15′ (stats provided by charity Girls Not Brides). These stats are horrifying to be reading in 2019 but sadly, a disheartening reality globally.
Director Christopher Rüping had always felt detached from ancient Greek drama. The chorus, the language, and the role of fate created an artificial world that had nothing to do with our reality. When watching Greek drama, he found that he began to be engaged by the play only when it was almost over. When those dramas were written, they were presented at the Dionysia, a drama competition (Agon) that went on for five days. Dionysia were ecstatic festivals with free wine and free food, starting early in the morning and going on until late at night. Christopher Rüping knew he could not recreate the Dionysia but he decided to be bold and to present a tetralogy, composed of three dramas and one satyr play. Ten hours of theatre would allow his antique drama to unfold.
Courtesy of Julian Baumann.
Initially premiering at Theatre Español, Valencia in 2017, Víctor Sánchez Rodríguez’s pertinent production Cuzco receives its UK debut at Theatre503. The young celebrated playwright’s work explores topics of intimacy within our continually globalised world and the clash between colonial history and commercial tourism. Directed by Kate O’Connor and translated by William Gregory, Cuzco allows for a UK audience to ‘experience the very best of contemporary Spanish playwriting’. Ahead of the show, Kate talks to us about the journey she’s been on with Cuzco, William’s vital role in terms of translating the show and what audiences can expect!
Returning for its 7th annual outing, The Vault Festival promises as ever to offer its ‘biggest, boldest and bravest’ programme to date. Comprising of over 400 shows and consisting of more than 2,000 artists, the 8-week long festival will bring to you a mixture of theatre, comedy, cabaret, live performance and late night parties. Taking place at The Vaults in Waterloo, you’ll be spoiled for choice!
Soho Theatre has been at the forefront of discovering the UK’s top theatre and comedy talent for years; with various alumni having gone on to establish successful careers within the arts. Having completed a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Soho Theatre favourite Archie Maddocks returns with his latest stand up show, Matchstick. Performed as part of this year’s Soho Rising Festival, a festival celebrating new writing, Archie tells us more about the show…
Hi Archie, you’ll be showcasing your latest stand up show Matchstick as part of Soho Theatre’s Soho Rising Festival on Friday 14 December. How are you feeling ahead of the show?
Pretty good. The show is good so I’m feeling confident that it will go well – just need to remember the damn thing!
There’s more than just euphemism to unpack in Ellie Kendrick’s Hole at the Royal Court. Featuring an electric line up of actors, burlesque babes and music artists- fierce, fabulous women are aplenty. Running at 60 minutes, Kendrick’s writing debut bubbles with rage and spits in the eye of patriarchy.
Courtesy of The Other Richard.
Providing visitors news, reviews and interviews on or with the UK’s brightest talents on stage and screen as well as behind the scenes, The British Blacklist has championed the contributions of black British creatives for the past 6 years. Its founder, Akua Gyamfi has helped to craft a movement that very rightfully has gone from strength to strength. Here, Akua discusses what inspired the site’s creation, accessing press opportunities that initially wouldn’t have been made available and suggests theatre creatives and events to look out for!
Hi Akua, you’re the founder of influential website The British Blacklist. What inspired you to create the resource?
An indulgent dinner with Dionysus is always going to be a hard invite to turn down but I really did get lucky – proverbially – when I picked one of the show’s two clothing optional dates in November.
Out in an abandoned back alley, four girls play in the muck. They inhabit different eras across the twentieth century but through the gap in a wire fence they’re born again into a timeless no-man’s land as their childhood selves. This is the wasteground of Charlotte Keatley’s play, an abstract and non-linear setting where all four characters can see themselves as equals. Their camaraderie is discarded here, forgotten in the main action of the play which pits women against one another.
Courtesy of Stephen Cummiskey.