"The big event is not what we older women look like, but what we can do."
A professor of art history must decide what action to take when an unflattering naked photograph of her in a changing room is shared online. Exploring how images of women are represented in art and social media Annie Fox's Heretic Voices monologue explores the many emotions of a woman facing humiliation from trolls & her fight back against the body shamers.
Here's what the Fringe Audiences thought:
29/6/19: "A deserved standing ovation this afternoon for Deborah Hadley’s powerful portrayal of A Woman Caught Unaware by Benny Kate Theatre Company at Fringe TheatreFest. Tightly written by playwright Annie Fox. Heartfelt, vulnerable, passionate. A call to arms. Go see." Claire Gulliver
"Such an incredible show. It felt so raw and made me laugh and cry throughout"
"Fantastic Story & relatability. Score 100. As a young woman I can only hope to be as strong and epic as you are" @ seerche
"Absolutely excellent! Very powerful performance. In two words See this!" Sue Thomas
"Totally amazing – convincing compelling acting. Moving, beautiful, slick, professional" Katy
"Thought-provoking theatre. Incredibly poignant and important – loved it." Coral
"Brilliant performance, Very emotional. Well done" "One word only needed. BRILLIANT" "Fantastic. Very insightful"
"Brilliant performance! Powerful performance expressing such an important message! Bravo!" Ruth &Richard H
REVIEW: A performance which invites us to both laugh and cry
30/06/19 fringetheatrefestblog
Deborah Hadley draws the audience into the story of a professor of art history and her struggle as a photo of her in a changing room is shared online. The monologue is a powerful thing, and when done well it can be an exceptional piece of art. Fortunately, ‘Benny&Kate’ do it well. Annie Fox’s writing is full of gorgeous language, while Deborah Hadley’s performance draws the audience in, inviting us to both laugh and cry with her.
The story focuses on a professor of art history and her struggle, as a photo of her in a changing room is shared online. As the perspectives of older women are frequently ignored, this performance offers a unique insight into a voice often unheard. Nonetheless, the story can strike chords with us all, as it touches on love and loss.
References to art history are woven throughout, as the play is split into three parts, each titled with an Italian art term. This choice works particularly well when it is considered that the women featured in Renaissance paintings are so often passive, presenting the expectations for women in the real world. However, the protagonist of this performance does not remain passive, as she takes matters into her own hands.
This show is personal and yet somehow universal, as it touches on fears that we all have, of ageing and of losing those that we love.
Woman Caught Unaware has been received with open arms so far, so if you’re yet to see it, I recommend that you do.
By Seraphina Allard-Bridge
Here's what the Fringe Audiences thought:
29/6/19: "A deserved standing ovation this afternoon for Deborah Hadley’s powerful portrayal of A Woman Caught Unaware by Benny Kate Theatre Company at Fringe TheatreFest. Tightly written by playwright Annie Fox. Heartfelt, vulnerable, passionate. A call to arms. Go see." Claire Gulliver
"Such an incredible show. It felt so raw and made me laugh and cry throughout"
"Fantastic Story & relatability. Score 100. As a young woman I can only hope to be as strong and epic as you are" @ seerche
"Absolutely excellent! Very powerful performance. In two words See this!" Sue Thomas
"Totally amazing – convincing compelling acting. Moving, beautiful, slick, professional" Katy
"Thought-provoking theatre. Incredibly poignant and important – loved it." Coral
"Brilliant performance, Very emotional. Well done" "One word only needed. BRILLIANT" "Fantastic. Very insightful"
"Brilliant performance! Powerful performance expressing such an important message! Bravo!" Ruth &Richard H
REVIEW: A performance which invites us to both laugh and cry
30/06/19 fringetheatrefestblog
Deborah Hadley draws the audience into the story of a professor of art history and her struggle as a photo of her in a changing room is shared online. The monologue is a powerful thing, and when done well it can be an exceptional piece of art. Fortunately, ‘Benny&Kate’ do it well. Annie Fox’s writing is full of gorgeous language, while Deborah Hadley’s performance draws the audience in, inviting us to both laugh and cry with her.
The story focuses on a professor of art history and her struggle, as a photo of her in a changing room is shared online. As the perspectives of older women are frequently ignored, this performance offers a unique insight into a voice often unheard. Nonetheless, the story can strike chords with us all, as it touches on love and loss.
References to art history are woven throughout, as the play is split into three parts, each titled with an Italian art term. This choice works particularly well when it is considered that the women featured in Renaissance paintings are so often passive, presenting the expectations for women in the real world. However, the protagonist of this performance does not remain passive, as she takes matters into her own hands.
This show is personal and yet somehow universal, as it touches on fears that we all have, of ageing and of losing those that we love.
Woman Caught Unaware has been received with open arms so far, so if you’re yet to see it, I recommend that you do.
By Seraphina Allard-Bridge
