More vital conversations around sexual assault from Newcastle theatre
Alphabetti Theatre are continuing the conversation around sexual violence with their latest play; Mr Incredible
Last updated 22nd Mar 2022
A Newcastle theatre is continuing their calls to open up conversations around sexual assault and women's safety.
Alphabetti's latest play launches tonight, raising questions about toxic masculinity, entitlement and assault.
Mr Incredible - written by Camilla Whitehill and directed by Natasha Haws - starts it's run off the back of No. 9 - which looked at how survivors of sexual assault begin to process the trauma and how it is dealt with by authorities and organisations.
No. 9 was brought up in Parliament on International Women's Day by Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, who sat down and talked with us about the play, and the issues of violence against women and girls.
Now - Alphabetti is determined to continue the conversation around sexual violence, with Mr Incredible, which is performed by Emmerdale star Joe Gill.
This time it speaks from a male perspective, and questions a different aspect of the issue - where do modern romance and old-fashioned entitlement intersect?
Eilis is the general manager of Alphabetti, and tells us why they were keen to put the two pieces together:
"It's such a vast, broad topic, with so many different experiences and perspectives
"We wanted to have these two back to back - not because they complement each other - but in terms of the over-arcing themes you need to have all those different perspectives and experiences shown.
"No. 9 was extremely beautiful and raw, but hopeful...
"And rightly so - angered a lot of people for the right reasons, and I think Mr Incredible will also do that - but for different reasons."
READ MORE: Newcastle theatre production calls for better support for sexual assault survivors
Eilis also tells us how the cast and crew worked with consultants who specialise in sexual assault and violence while producing the show, to make sure everyone felt comfortable and safe while working on the project.
"When you go see this show, that's you affected for an hour,
"A lot of the creative team have been in here for three weeks - having those heavy conversations every day
"Even just acting it out can be really difficult so we have had consultants in to offer advice."
READ MORE: Newcastle MP backs theatre calls for better support for sexual assault survivors
The theatre hope that having the two shows back to back will keep the momentum going to encourage more open conversations around sexual assault, to provide better support and care for survivors.
Mr Incredible runs from March 22nd to April 9th. All tickets are pay as you feel and seating will be socially distanced.
For more support and resources - you can contact Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
You can find out more about Alphabetti Theatre via their website and Twitter.