Can theatre and performance challenge the objectification of women in society and the media?

Convener(s): Alice Edwards

Participants: Heather Taylor, Martin B, Anne Tipton, Kirsty Lothian, Mary O’Connor, Lian Bell, Gemma, Morven Macbeth

Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:

THIS WAS TYPED UP BY ALICE, BUT WE LOST THE DOCUMENT. SORRY ALICE! THIS IS TYPED UP FROM HER NOTES. I HOPE YOU CAN GET SOME SENSE OF IT! I’M SURE IT WAS MUCH MORE BRILLIANT THAN IT SEEMS FROM THE NOTES.

How can objectification be represented/deconstructed without becoming objectification itself?

If you want to show yourself sexually what’s the problem with that? Because it may be partly to question assumptions.

Hold feminist views but don’t call yourself a feminist – why?

Feminism seems aggressive.

Deserve equality.

It’s not a battle of the sexes.

Humanist.

Don’t want to make a fuss.

Feminism has different interpretations.

There is not a cross generational feminism.

Women blame themselves.

If you come into a man’s workplace do you need to be like a man?

Equality of same cultural value – should be as of value to be a woman as it is to be a man.

Are there female playwrights? They need to be taken in their own right.

Embarassed to be a feminist.

Art has a problem with being issue based.

Desperate for women writers: women must write for women. Why? Because men can’t write for them.

We can’t complain until we’re doing something about it.

Quality of the work – what is considered to be of value is not what women want to write about.

Are women being objectified in theatre?

Canon/Text work is male.

Haven’t seen a piece of theatre that deconstructs the objectification of women – ever!

Androgyny – Equality.

Women’s stories – not female versions of stores.

If it doesn’t matter if it’s a woman or a man’s story it will be a mans. If it’s a woman’s story then it’s women’s themes/issues.

T of S amazed women. Angry about way women are treated. 

Director – line from the vagina to the eyes. 

Another girl who walks around in their underwear.

Not taking man’s name – bit weird – bit feminist. That’s still normal. That’s what getting married is. Celebrity women taking men’s names. Ms/Miss divorced, etiquette. Ms seems bit posh. Miss = available to get married.

Straight 8 – film making (3 mins) edit in camera.

Women being naked, being victims, being tied up. Have to change it.

You have to believe it is different.

Women in roles of victims, the whore with a heart.

Bourne – refreshing, soft, helping, celebrated.

Heroes – save the pretty blonde one.

Perception of what is good is driven by men. Where and what your influences are often come from misogyny. Women have to realize this as inherent in them.

Something missing in the theatre – onus is on me to create it.

Traditional role of women is not valued in our society. We are therefore not telling that story.

Same sex oppression – perception of each other re: having children. I have to make you feel inadequate. Theatre and performance can change or reflect.

Need to check in because illusions of equality means people don’t think about decisions re: women.

Curly hair = flappy. Straight hair = jobsworth.

Don’t want it to be worthy.

Reclaim feminism. From perceptions/negative connotations.

Should be able to say freely I’m a feminist.

Difference in what is thought of as rape. Rape needs to be linked to stripping. If we’re saying this is okay to take our bodies.

Women being performitively sexual where men aren’t.

T + P part of the problem. Misogynist piece of theatre.