You can always rely on Emma Rice to bring an uncomfortable but welcome challenge to her art.
Blue Beard is no exception – holding up a mirror to the tiresome everyday realities for women, whilst still delivering a charismatic cabaret of theatre.
Blue Beard is at York Theatre Royal from Tuesday 27 February to Saturday 9 March.
Whilst Emma Rice, artistic director of theatre company Wise Children, originally avoided this old folktale due to its reputation of allowing men their secrets and the using and abusing of women – she eventually weaved it into a multi-layered complex show which took these misogynistic morals and created a platform for them to be scrutinised.
However, despite the context and harrowing inspiration behind this production, it is also brimming with humour, which almost felt appropriately troublesome in hindsight. The fantastic Katy Owen welcomed the audience as Mother Superior, leading her sisters and eventually the entire auditorium to the convent of the three F’s: the Fearful, F****d and Furious.
But it isn’t just one linear tale; soon into the covent comes the Lost Brother (Adam Mirsky) who has his own story to share – exploring his relationship with his older sister the Lost Sister (Mirabelle Gremaud) which slowly unravels painfully throughout the show.
As these two characters narrate, we see an explosion of fantasy come to life on the York Theatre Royal stage with complex scenery, lighting design and perfectly executed choreography. It was quite the spectacle to witness with a creative surprise around every corner.
Not only were we blessed with a phenomenally talented group of actors, but they also doubled as musicians – helping to bring to life the brilliant soundtrack composed by Stu Barker. The music was a natural extension of the storytelling and never felt out of place.
I particularly enjoyed the way these songs brought out the personalities of bereaved wife Treasure (Patrycja Kujawska) and her daughters Lucky (Robyn Sinclair) and Trouble (Stephanie Hockley) as they faced the world without their loving father and wrongly placed their trust in Blue Beard (Tristan Sturrock) himself. Their synchronised movements were a metaphor for their close bond – and this bond only grew closer as Lucky found herself in danger, and her father’s lasting love and suit became an armour against evil.
Act two brought a fierce awakening as we swapped metaphorical worlds for the dark reality – brought to a climax by Kujawska’s heartbreaking monologue and Owen’s unstoppable outpour of grief which consumed the entire audience. We were transported so quickly from being bystanders in a comedic slow-motion escape where laughter could be heard roaring from the audience, to the raw silence of watching CCTV footage of the Lost Sister simply walking home.
Watching, reading and trying to avoid being on the news is a daily challenge that most women feel they face, so to see the footage being played, unavoidable, was a hard watch for many, but imperative to driving home Rice’s shared anger… she was just walking home, she was just walking home, she was simply walking home.
Zara Aleena and her tragic murder was the inspiration behind this powerful piece, but the heartbreaking reality is is that she is one of too many. Zara Aleena, Sarah Everard, Ashling Murphy, Sabina Nessa…say their names, remember their names and remember why this fight exists and why a piece of theatre highlighting this terror is not only welcome but needed.
I have seen various opinions on Blue Beard and the reception it’s received: the criticism of its tongue in cheek words, its initial satirical approach, and the ending in which Mother still relies on a man’s guidance for safety. But frankly I disagree – I believe this is an outstanding piece of theatre which uses this variation of drama to drive home its social and political context.
It needed the fantasy vs reality for us to feel every inch of the powerful truth and of course a woman still didn’t feel safe enough to walk home alone, because we still don’t. This is real, this is happening and I thank Emma Rice and her exceptional team for a piece of theatre that is overflowing with anger, fear and truth.
Blue Beard is at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 9 March. Tickets start from £15 and are available via the York Theatre Royal website.