Today
I attended a play reading at the Abbey Theatre called ‘Taking Back our Voices’,
exploring the profession of prostitution in Ireland today. I say play
‘reading’, which would usually suggest a bunch of actors sitting on stools,
facing the audience, and delivering lines with their scripts in hand. Today
however, I did not witness this at all, but rather a dynamic and emotionally truthful performance that I don’t think I will ever forget.
Before
I go any further, I would like to explain why I am writing this response in the
first place. I am deliberately calling it a ‘response’, rather then ‘review’
because this definitely is not a review. I will not be trying to use flowery
language or make myself sound more intelligent then I actually am. I will not be
analyzing aspects of production that I found effective. Instead, I will just be
describing my own honest,emotional reaction to this afternoon, which I can safely say
was the most powerful piece of theatre I have seen upon the Abbey stage. I am
not writing this response because someone has told me to or because I am bored
and feel like doing something productive. I am writing this because ever since
I walked out of the national theatre today, I have felt a real urge and compulsion
to try and articulate my reaction to this piece of theatre, and the important
subject matter of prostitution in Ireland. While it left me leaving like I wanted to change the country, I cannot do that, and so I have decided to write instead.
On
stage were 5 performers; four professional actors and one
ex-prostitute. In order to make this piece, the actors (Úna Kavanagh,
Caitríona Ní Mhurchú, Sorcha Kenny and Niamh Shaw), along with director
Oonagh Murphy, have been in conversation with prostitutes and ex-prostitutes
for the last few months, gaining a deeper insight into a lifestyle that one of
the actors admitted during the post show discussion, 'we think we know a lot
about when we really don't have an iota of an idea' .
The
ensemble only began rehearsals for ‘Taking Back our Voices’ last Monday, which
is an incredible achievement when you actually see the high standard of theatre
that was produced in such s short space of time. Saying that, it is not
particularly important whether the standard of theatre was high enough or not.
That was not the point. While each of the performances were exceptional, the
whole point of this piece was to give a voice to the women in the profession of
prostitution in Ireland, who are not usually heard by society.
For
the 40 minutes of performance, we are exposed to the brutal and inhumane lives
these women lead. We witness the entrapment, the sexual abuse, the loss of
dignity, the loss of power, the competitiveness amongst the women and the
endless sexual tasks they are expected to perform and feel obliged to provide.
We heard the voices of the real life victims of this horrific existence, their
stories, their pain, their suffering, and their inability to escape. But
importantly, we also heard the voices of those who finally did manage to escape
from this world and are now trying to make a better life for themselves.
On
stage, in what can only be described as one of the bravest acts I have ever
witnessed, Justine who is an ex-prostitute talked openly about her past life,
exposing the audience to the harsh realities of this existence. She is a woman
who is full of character and bravado, someone you would love to grab a drink
with, someone who has suffered immensely but also someone who seems unwilling
to live her life as a victim. She is
incredibly honest and her strength and willingness to share her past with a
room full of strangers was something truly admirable and moving.
During
the post show discussion, another ex prostitute, who was sitting in the audience
and who had also been involved in the process, informed the audience that
‘everything you saw on stage today was the truth. This is the truth’. When I
spoke to this same woman after the show, and told her how I admired her
greatly, she told me it was vital for me to get involved with the Turn Off The
Red Light campaign straight away, how important it was. After hearing a first
hand account of what can only be described as a disgusting, inhumane industry,
I followed this woman’s advice as soon I got home.
In
Ireland today, it is illegal to sell one's body, but not illegal to buy
another's body. Justine described nights where she and her fellow workers would
be herded out of building in their underwear, sometimes on the street in front
of children, while the clients of these women would simply be told to be on
their way. Both ex prostitutes emphasized the absolute need of getting these
men prosecuted. If more people could witness the cruel circumstances prostitutes
endure, and had the ability to see that these women are just normal women like
one's mother, one's sister, one's friend, perhaps a stronger action would be taken
against prostitution in this country. At the end of the day these women are
human beings, and as Justine asked the audience in the post show discussion
‘How can it ever be ok to buy another human being?’.
I
wanted the post show discussion to last longer, to last for hours! I wanted to
express my admiration both to the bravery of the prostitutes who were willing
to be involved, and to the theatre-makers, who so effectively gave these women
a voice through art. What I have learnt today more then any other theatrical
experience in my life is that art can truly reflect society and give voice to
those who are not usually heard. It can provoke discussion. If it can provoke
discussion, it can hopefully provoke action.
The
Abbey Theatre can play a vital role in Irish society. It has the ability to be
the space where societal questions are raised and conversation is provoked.
I
hope that more similar work is produced because I have learnt today how incredibly important it is. I will never forget my experience at the
Abbey Theatre today and only wish more people had the opportunity to see this
performance.
http://www.ruhama.ie/ - Supporting
women affected by prostitution
http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie - Campaign to end prostitution and sex
trafficking in Ireland.
16/11/2012
