Firstly, apologies for the title of this blog. Once I'd made up the word Shakeapearality, I just couldn't get it out of my head so unfortunately it's a keeper.
This time last year I wrote an open letter to the artistic director of a major producing theatre company in the UK, but words of warning from people close by said it would be detrimental to my career if I posted it. It was about women in theatre. Here's an abridged version (all names have been redacted as I still have a little fear):
Dear ****,
The *** has always held a very special place in my heart and I saw numerous productions as a child; now as an adult my loyalty is waiving, and a wall of your theatre posters reminded me of the disproportion of males versus females employed by the ***. You are not alone in this astounding gender bias, but it does baffle me how the biggest subsidised theatres in this country can discriminate so blatantly. As a woman and artist I am often made to feel like a second class citizen in the theatrical world.
I am not blind to the gender bias in Shakespeare's work given its historical context but it seems that centuries on, we may be able to find new and exciting ways to advance this, after all we are creatives. One of the most exhilarating pieces of theatre I've watched this year was Phillida Lloyds Henry IV at the Donmar; not solely because it was all female (though of course this was a draw for me) but because it was innovative storytelling at its best. The performances were astounding and I have never felt so captivated by a piece of Shakespeare. I understood the words, was intrigued by the characters and engrossed with the story - is this not what we are looking for in theatre?
The industry has embarked upon questioning diversity and there are great ideas coming from Act for Change and supporters. Women can no longer be the oppressed majority and there needs to be discourse on how to overcome this. My words are not written in anger or bitterness, but in hope. Hope that the theatre company that introduced me to the stage and captured my soul in a world of magic and make believe, will again pique my passion and be at the forefront of a new wave of thinking towards women in theatre.
Sorry that wasn't massively abridged!
Fast forward a year and not much has changed with my 'mystery' theatre company, though there may be more female faces on the posters. However I'm now working with The Faction and I'm playing the character of Derby, wait for it- Shakespeare wrote him as a man. Yes, some pronouns were changed in the making of this theatre, but re-gendering a character isn't a hindrance, it's a whole new page of possibilities. New relationships emerge, textual alter-egos and exciting ideas spring to the stage. A new found femininity within a character is no bad thing.
By no means is this production about feminism (in fact it's just me who's harping on about it) and that's the greatest thing about it. The Faction have brought together a cast of 21 (!) great actors, regardless of age, sexuality, gender to create 'unforgettable theatrical moments'. So there's a challenge to the big boys and girls in town. I think it's about time everyone found some Shakespearality?!
Richard III is at the New Diorama Theatre and runs from 5th January.
I'm also doing an incredible new version of Brownings My Last Duchess by Jessica Sian as part of the Reptember Reloaded season. I'm playing boys and girls in this monolgue! Versatile... Me? Come see them both!
End of feminist rant and shameless plug.
