Theatre / News
A story of survival and defiance
A one-woman show about “survival, defiance and reclaiming power” is playing in a shopping centre in south Bristol.
Cutting Out opens on Friday in the former Shoe Zone in Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle.
Performed by Viv Gordon, founder of the Viv Gordon Company, the show is part performance, part installation and part collective act of resistance bearing witness to the estimated 11m survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in the UK.
The show is performed and written by Viv Gordon and directed and co-written by Tom Roden – photo: Ed Felton
Cutting Out takes theatregoers on a journey from experiences of abuse to finding a sense of community, connection and a sense of belonging.
Co-artistic director of Strike A Light, Sarah Blowers, called the show a “moving” experience.
She said it was “one of the most moving, thrilling, angry and poised pieces of theatre I have ever seen”.
“Viv Gordon holds the space in a way that made me hold my breath, grip my knuckles, cry and yet feel completely safe. This is brilliant theatre.”
Gordon said: “Most communities have spaces in which they gather – pubs, clubs, community centres etc – but the CSA survivor community doesn’t have that.
“Taking over this empty shop in Bristol has enabled us to have a space of our own to explore what relaxed and accessible performances for our community could look like, which is very exciting.
“We have gone back to our roots of creating something for ourselves in a DIY model.
“Our big thank you goes to all allies and supporters who have helped to make this project happen.”
Cutting Out is being performed on September 13, 20, 26 and 27, and October 3 and 5. For more information, visit www.vivgordoncompany.co.uk/cutting-out
Main photo: Ed Felton
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