CW: This review contains references to sexual assault and paedophilia.
If there is one show that I want everyone to see this Fringe, it is Prickly Pear Productions’ devised play Walking Home. The terrifying, excruciating pertinence of the production does not make for an enjoyable watch, per se, but it is an hour of critical exploration of the issues women face today. The performance explores the tensions that arise when sexual violence occurs and asks the crucial question: “We all share some responsibility. Right?”
Set in an office boardroom, when Carla’s four colleagues hear the news that she has been sexually assaulted, their regular meeting turns into a discussion about collective guilt, masculinity, and women’s safety. The simplicity of the production allows for the focus to be entirely on the thoughts and feelings of the characters. It also achieves a vital level of authenticity; the mundane setting serves as a reminder of the prevalence of the issues being discussed in our every day lives.
Every colleague represents a different emotion, reminiscent of the stages of grief: Anger, Bargaining, Desperation, and Denial. The range of perspectives and experiences this creates a platform for is a great touch, as each character steps forward to give their anecdotes and share their thoughts. All of them use sporadic, but powerful, moments of audience participation, which make us feel included in the dialogue.
Bargaining’s section left a knot in my chest as he devastatingly recounted his sister’s abuse at the hands of a paedophile, with the gut-punching moment delivered through a breathtakingly clever moment of audience participation. I am not embarrassed to admit I was brought to tears by this scene, which was executed sensitively and compellingly; in fact, I would go as far as saying it may be one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen.
Similarly, Denial’s deeply personal account, particularly her lamentation about how women are conditioned to accept unwarranted sexual advances to avoid being raped and killed, is another notable moment. As a young woman myself I painfully related to this section and found it very troubling to watch. One quotation in particular has not left my mind since, and I feel compelled to share it:
“We’ve [women] become pros at pacification for the sake of self-preservation.”
Hearing that, such a raw, accurate articulation of the experience of women sent chills through my body. This standard of writing, impressively consistent throughout, is phenomenal, and only serves to elevate the strength of the messages the play is sending. Along with the seasoned performances of the actors, the production was convincing and believable at all moments.
Walking Home was devised by female-led theatre company Prickly Pear and drew on the real-life experiences of over 40 women in its creative process. The production is also partnered with Strut Safe, a volunteer-led phone line that can be called when walking alone.
As a viewing experience, Walking Home has an interesting dissonance; on the one hand, it is an upsetting reminder of the epidemic of sexual violence that women face, but it is equally a validating one, a reassurance that what we experience is real and visceral. I felt seen and heard, sitting silently in the audience. This is truly a masterpiece in theatre that everyone-man, woman, or anyone in between- needs to see.
Walking Home is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot at 5:30pm until 28 August (not 21). Tickets available here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/walking-home
Press image provided to The Student as press material.