Rhiannon Faith on making a dance show about domestic abuse: 'There's games, balloons, music - but it's a hard show'

Making change: Choreographer Rhiannon Faith
Christa Holka

There aren’t many shows that have a therapist on hand in another room when the performance is taking place. But there aren’t many shows like Rhiannon Faith’s.

Smack That (a conversation) explores domestic abuse through movement, and the subject matter requires great care. This is why there will be a breakout area to provide a safe environment for anyone affected by what they’ve seen, with a qualified therapist on hand to provide support.

The work is part of the Barbican Centre’s Art for Change season, which explores how artists can bring about social and political change - and it has helped make way for change at the venue itself. (It is performed there next week, June 12-16).

When the show opens, the Barbican will become a J9 venue, a national initiative that aims to help people to disclose domestic abuse and access support. Staff will be trained to “signpost, advise and spot the signs of domestic abuse”.

The show takes the form of a party hosted by a woman called Beverley, who is played by each member of the all-female cast. Throughout the evening, she shares her story of surviving an abusive relationship with her guests, the audience. Here, Rhiannon Faith explains why this subject mattered so much to her.

Why did you decide to make a dance show about domestic abuse?

I have wanted to make this show for ages. I have seen physical abuse, I have experienced psychological abuse. When our last show Scary S*** was on tour, we touched on some of the themes of violence, and women would find us at the end of the show and share their experiences. The more I talked about it, friends, family and strangers spoke up; it’s pretty shocking how many women have experienced some form of domestic abuse in their lives.

Smack That (a conversation)
Foteini Christofilopoulou 2017

I've always been an activist for women's rights and I wanted to contribute to stopping violence against women and girls. Once I had enough cash and support from venues to make sure the project was done right, with care and attention, Smack That (a conversation) began. My aim was to raise consciousness, get people talking and being vocal about the s*** that is happening to our women - women we know and women in our communities. It's such a shame that something that unites women so strongly is our collective suffering.

Who was the persona of Beverley inspired by?

It was always going to be set at a party. During our meetings with the participants, we discovered that perpetrators would rarely let a celebration or party happen without any violent interruptions, mind-games or control, so we decided to reclaim the 'party'. Our party celebrates survival. During the party, you listen to the seven women's autobiographical stories as one collective voice. We decided this voice would come from an uber-character called Beverley.

Bevs is all women. She is smutty, silly, serious, funny, clever, p***ed-off, caring and strong. She is an excellent host. It's a nod to the host Beverley in Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party, played by the superb (Alison Steadman). She is trying to keep her s*** together while she and everything else around her is falling apart. There is a definite parallel between the personas: Bevs seems like she is totally coping, while she talks about how a man she loved left her for dead.

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Why did you choose to work with an all-female cast?

I wanted to give space to women, their voices and experiences, their resilience and bravery. A woman is killed every three days in an abusive relationship and 1 in 4 women will experience violence in the UK in their lifetime. It is likely that there will an audience member/guest that is in an unhealthy relationship and doesn't know how to get out. I felt if I put a survivor in front of them who knows exactly how hard it is to get out, but was eventually able to get out, that might encourage that person to start the process and know there are services there to help. We recognise it happens to men too, but this is a show about women.

What can audiences expect from the show?

It's a party, so there will be games, cider, popcorn, balloons, dancing and good music. But it is a hard show. It doesn't glamourise or minimize the issues, it talks honestly and bluntly about domestic abuse. It's pretty harrowing actually. I'm so f***ing proud of the women - some have never performed before, some are dance artists that don't usually talk in shows. All have experienced abuse, and they are so brave for standing up and asking for change. They are my heroes.

Smack That (a conversation)
Foteini Christofilopoulou 2017

How did collaborating with the charity Safer Places impact on the show?

Joanne Majauskis from the charity Safer Places (leading provider for victims of domestic abuse in Essex) has held my hand from the start. She introduced us to survivors from her service and has consulted all the way through the development and production. The work she does to help victims is incredible, and there are so many inspiring women, charities, refugees that support victims, with limited resources and budgets. Safer Places checked in with the performers throughout and we had a psychologist Joy Griffiths work with us from the beginning too. She attends all shows, just in case any of the audience/guests are triggered by the material. It has been a supported and safe process.

You hope to raise social consciousness around domestic abuse – what have you found some of the biggest misconceptions to be?

There is a misconception of what a victim of abuse looks like. We imagine a victim that is vulnerable and weak - that's not true! It can happen to anyone, regardless of class, race, age, identity. People ask the question 'why doesn't she leave'? instead of 'Why can't she leave'? The perpetrator will have put things in place to keep her there. Also, domestic abuse is not just physical: there’s also psychological, financial and sexual abuse. Men need to stand up, engage, speak up and call out aggressive male behaviour. Together we need to stop accepting structures that reinforce male dominance. This is the only way it is going to stop.

Your show will create a lasting impact as the Barbican becomes a J9 venue. What does this mean and how can other workplaces follow suit?

Together with Safer Places, we created a legacy for the show called the J9 initiative where we provide training to the touring venues to recognise and signpost victims of domestic abuse to their local service provider. Harlow Playhouse who commissioned the work was the first art house to become a J9 venue. It is beyond all my expectations that the prolific Barbican Centre has signed up to the campaign, and we did the training last week. Definitely my proudest moment as an artist to date. With 600 staff working there, it could make a change to so many people lives. Other workplaces can get in touch and request J9 training - there's no excuse not to really.

Smack That (a conversation) runs at the Barbican Centre from June 12-16; barbican.org.uk

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