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BrumHour was invited to review Badass Medusa #MeToo at arrangement with the production.

By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour

Review: Badass Medusa #MeToo at Midlands Arts Centre

Written and directed by Hannah Phillips, composed Nik Haley and film making by Nicola Prestage

The voices of women are brought into focus for this one-hour production which both tells the story of Medusa and the experience of women through song, words and movement.

I didn’t know what to expect from the description of this production, it was full of strong trigger warnings and quite rightly so, on arrival at the Midlands Arts Centre’s Foyle Theatre, there was a large projected poster telling me that it was okay to sit and focus on my breathing if I felt awkward or anxious.

There was three small stage areas and four microphones with a large screen at the back for projections. Hanging from two of the small stages were long silver glitter cloths, three of our performers were in bright boiler suits with glitter lips and bold face make up, looking a little David Bowie esq.

As well as video the screen presented us with questions, to test what we consider to be truth or myth and we could use a web page to add our answers and thoughts to the screen without filter. (Unless like me you are on Three.)

Medusa (Natalie Cutler) came forth and her bracelets reflected around the stage, strong and powerful, the chorus (Katy Rooke, Yasmin Agilah Hood and Ebony Wilson) each representing both the voice of Medusa and their own voices too.

I really enjoyed this production and the sense of community and belonging it evoked in me, it was brave and welcoming, very aware of its tough subject matter but never afraid to shy away from it. This was the third of four performances and hopefully it will tour again.

Badass Medusa #MeToo was on tour from 7th to 11th March 2022. Follow MobiliseArts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to find out more.

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