I was lucky enough to attend Sphinx Theatre's Vamps, Vixens & Feminists day at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Friday 2nd March. Although missing my train first thing was not the best of starts. Thankfully things did get considerably better.
And by the wonders of technology Pilot Theatre livestreamed the #vampsandvixens discussions to the world.
It was a day of reflection as well as inspiring ideas. As the final week of preparations for To Freedom's Cause (2FC) draws near #vampsandvixens was the perfect opportunity to see where we're at right now and what the future could hold.
The title for this blog post is taken from Beatrix Campbell's opening speech at the event:
We need to become in the nicest possible way, dangerous; strangely marvellous.
Vamps, Vixens & Feminists eflyer
It could have been a headline from The Suffragette newspaper.
Yes things have changed since Emily Wilding Davison stepped out onto the Epsom Derby racecourse risking life and limb in order to bring the Votes for Women campaign to the world's attention. However, it became clear throughout Friday's discussions that if we are not careful this could be as good as it gets as the deep cuts in services begin to bite.
Like all those gathered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Friday, Emily and the WSPU (Women's Social & Political Union), the militant suffragette organisation to which Emily belonged, were keenly aware of the importance of using modern technology in order to reach the widest possible audience. In Emily's case it was the new phenomenon of moving pictures.
That said Emily Wilding Davison was driven much further along the militant path by the hypocrisy and intrasigence of Asquith's government. To the end she never stopped campaigning equality and justice.
Emily's evermore militant actions, were at first lauded by the Pankhursts (the firing of postal boxes), but as she became more extreme the WSPU leadership began to distance themselves from such a loose cannon.
Still from 2FC rehearsed reading: Maggie Turner (Assistant Prison Wardress), Kate Willoughby (Emily Wilding Davison) & Sabina Arthur (Prison Wardress)
Proof of Emily's growing isolation is evident in the brief mention The Suffragette of her attack on a man she mistook for Lloyd George. He became her nemesis after betraying the women's suffrage movement in favour political advancement. This was one of her last militant actions before the Derby protest and at that point her once celebrated tactics seemed to have fizzled into muddled unthinking attacks, a gift to the anti-suffragists.
To Freedom's Cause explores this difficult time for Emily, which put her at odds with many of her friends and threatened her once close relationship with her mother.
"You think you can go off, cause mayhem and then turn up here for some respite ... Well I’m telling you, young lady, you canna do so anymore. I’ve had enough of caring for my own daughter as if she were an invalid. It’s not natural. "
- Margaret Davison to her daughter Emily (To Freedom's Cause, Act1 Scene 1)
Politics and the struggle for the vote form the backdrop to the play, but it is people who are heart of the story.
I very much hope that you will be able to see a performance of the play at the Tristan Bates Theatre on Monday 12th March.
These performances are a stage in 2FC's progress to date. Next year marks the centenary of Emily's Derby protest, so To Freedom's Cause is ideally placed to be a part of that important anniversary.
I would welcome ideas, suggestions and support for the further development of the play.
@katewilloughby8
TO
FREEDOM'S
CAUSE
Monday 12th March 2012
Tristan Bates Theatre, 1a Tower Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NP
Tickets: £12 / £9
2.00 p.m. & 7.00 p.m.
Box Office: 020 7240 6283 / http://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/
Further information: http://www.katewilloughby.co.uk / @2FCPlay
