Seven Petticoats
by Judita Vivastheatre, physical-theatre-and-circus
One woman show that focuses on the vindication of the right to be a woman, inspired by Mary Wollstonecraft’s life and work.
about the production
During the course of an hour, we see a woman - maybe Mary, maybe someone from today - hurl herself into the waters of the river Thames, and as she sinks, descend to a more fluid understanding of womanhood. This is not a historically or biographically accurate account of Wollstonecraft, but a one woman show that, combining physical intensity and elegance, a cyberpunk aesthetic, humour and tragedy, quirky character work and sweeping cinematic romanticism, embodies the lives of multiple women – real, surreal, mythical, historical and imaginary – and focuses on a vindication of the right to be a woman.
about the artist
Judita Vivas is an actress, physical theatre artist and teacher. Originally from Vilnius, Lithuania, she currently lives and works in the UK. Since 2008, Judita co-devised and performed in a large number of performances and theatre projects, collaborated with a multi-media artist Andy Hurst, and worked with various international performance practitioners, including Bill Hopkinson (UK), Electa Behrens (USA/Norway), Frank Camilleri (Malta) and Gey Pin Ang (Singapore). Judita founded Foxtale, an international theatre collective, she is part of Icarus Performance Project (Malta), has a PhD in theatre studies from University of Kent, and regularly leads physical theatre classes and workshops.
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stage dimensions
width: 5 metres
height: 5 metres
depth: 10 metres
Low tech: standard rig and sound system; 2X4 rostra if possible
While the work is contemporary, at times even experimental, it is targeted to a very wide audience: women AND men who are interested in Mary Wollstonecraft and feminist issues; who enjoy watching biographical performance and want to see a live, artistic and embodied interpretation of Mary’s life; who enjoy physical or movement based work (with quite a bit of text work mixed in too!); and, finally, anybody who want to see a number of alternative uses of white petticoats in performance!
“A moving show with a great sense of humour. A solo performance with, literally, multitudes of layers — and in them, under them, wielding them, multitudes of women. Seven Petticoats is a reminder of how strong, how ridiculous, how beautiful and courageous we are”.
Accessible to all; recommended age 16+
In addition to the performance, I can lead group workshops that focus on movement, physical and vocal expression, playful improvisations and devised performance composition. Workshop length: minimum 2 hours. Costs: 2-2,5h £150 + travel / 3h £200 + travel / Day rate (2X3 hour sessions) £375 + travel / Extra hour £50.
1 performance: £225 +VAT + travel/accommodation. Longer tour: negotiable rates.
