When Ruva experiences an incident of street harassment, her entire world is thrown into chaos and turmoil.
Raging against the system, those who are supposed to protect her, and a society that won’t take her seriously, Ruva turns into a Beast, searching for a way to empower herself whilst embarking on a quest to live dangerously and fight the creatures that lurk at night.
Part spoken word, part outcry, and intertwined with elements of Zimbabwean beliefs about spirituality and magical realism, Beasts is a lyrical dark comedy by Mandi Chivasa exploring one young woman’s experience of street harassment, forces of nature, and the powers she’ll harness to protect herself if society won’t do it for her. Inspired by lived experiences and incorporating movement and vivid sound and lighting design, this is a new solo show exploring the impact of street harassment, the effects of intimidation, and how we’re supposed to feel safe when those sworn to protect us admit they can’t.
Despite street harassment being illegal, an investigation by UN Women UK last year found that 97% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed, with a further 96% not reporting those situations because of the belief that it wouldn’t change anything. There were 263,919 harassment offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2021-22, compared with 219,667 in the previous year. In Scotland reported cases of harassment alone have increased by 96% in the last decade, and in 2022 increased by 15% from the previous year. Further to this, ‘conventionally attractive’, white, or more feminine-presenting women are more likely to be believed (Washington State University), and the feeling that there is nothing at all women can do to protect themselves is more prevalent than ever. Beasts sheds light on these important issues by bringing the impact of street harassment to everyone’s attention, exploring whether society really does take women’s safety seriously enough, and rallying audiences for change.
Beasts is written and performed by Mandi Chivasa, an artist passionate about creating work that centres women’s stories. It is directed by Imy Wyatt Corner and Sarah Stacey, designed by Sophie Andrews, and produced by Mischa Alexander.
Mandi will take Beasts to the Edinburgh Fringe from August 4th – 27th.
ZOO Playground 2 (Venue 186), High School Yards, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ.
Booking:
https://zoofestival.co.uk/programme/beasts-why-girls-shouldnt-be-afraid-of-the-dark/
Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 0LH
6.00pm (1hr) | Saturday 29th July – Sunday 30th July 2023. Admission: From £9.
Booking:
