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Henry Hitchings's rating
Trilogy leaves its audience exhaustedly elated
By
Henry Hitchings
14 Jan 2010
In this bizarre and at times astounding triptych, a hit on the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, Nic Green tries to redeem feminism from its two main enemies, contempt and apathy.
Her three-hour creation forges a link with the agitprop of the Seventies while suggesting a new and joyous direction for women's self-realisation.
In the first part she and Laura Bradshaw gyrate against a backdrop of filmed images of wobbling objects.
Naked, they are joined on stage by about 30 women - also naked, and to various degrees wobbly themselves.
They all dance enthusiastically, and so begins a reclaiming - sometimes rapturous, sometimes earnest - of the female body.
The second and longest section is inspired by the 1971 debate at New York's Town Hall in which a tetchy Norman Mailer chaired a discussion of sexual politics. Green, Bradshaw and three other performers echo through dance the dynamics of this event.
In the closing segment, imagery of abused women combines with personal testimony. This leads on to an impassioned rendition of Jerusalem for which the entire audience gathers on stage.
All women present are invited to disrobe and join the once again naked and radiant Green and Bradshaw. Bravely, many take up the challenge.
Does this sound weird? It should. Trilogy is an original, pungent piece of theatre, underpinned by Green's activist zeal.
It's an affront to voyeurism and clunking stereotypes, as well as an indictment of a society that relentlessly sexualises not just adult women but also young girls.
In places it struck me as naïve, simplistic, repetitious and slow-moving. Yet it leaves its audience exhaustedly elated, and it's the kind of audacious, uncompromising, affirmative work that gets under one's skin - and might even change a few lives.
Until 16 January. Info: 020 7432 4220. Also at the Barbican Centre, 22 and 23 January. Info: 020 7638 8891.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (12)
There was one reference to the plight of women in other countries, a still of a woman about to be stoned to death by unknown people in an unmentioned country, accompanied by an utterly inane commentary about various things you can do on the makeyourownherstory website, like make a poster. So offensive it took my breath away.
As for the naked people. The dance at the end of act one was thrilling, just great as a joyous expression of people dancing naked to the Pixies. I reckon I'd enjoy that! I imagine that for many it was a thrilling, liberating experience to take the stage together.
But the finale again just left me and my girlfriend feeling alienated. I count myself in that because I consider myself to be a Feminist, a firm upholder of equality on all levels. And the finale of Trilogy was completely anti-equality.
Where was the provision for an individual with a physical disability using a wheelchair to get on stage and undress if they wanted to?
Was the solidarity of standing on stage together not meant for those women who count themselves as Feminists whilst upholding cultural practices such as wearing the Hijab? These people do exist, but are obviously not welcome under this particular banner.
Above all, I'm afraid it was simply bad theatre. A shame because it could have been so much more.
- Jacob, London, 24/01/2010 00:52
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Having just got back from seeing Trilogy, I have to say I found it incredibly disheartening. It's references are confused and selective, with so many aspects of Feminism and the Women's Movement completely absent. Where was the Riotgrrl movement? Where was Feminism beyond the UK/US???
- Jacob, London, 24/01/2010 00:51
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My response was for Mr. Murphy and Steve from Essex. Nick W you're absolutely right, some men certainly do get it. Ella from London, really a mawkish recital? My Mum and Dad felt uplifted and heartwarmed and what a fantastic debate we had afterwards. It made you respond which again is a communication and a dialogue you may not otherwise have had. There are no cheap gimmics in this show it's purpose is pure it's interpretation is contorted by our own reference points and personal experiences.
- Susi H, London, London, 16/01/2010 00:49
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Though 'Trilogy' has won rave reviews, I personally found myself exasperated after about an hour. To start off on a positive note, I admired the positive and upfront message it communicated about the female identity being defined by male chauvanism. The effective opening scene delved into this unfortunate truth. The message would no doubt have struck a chord with all female members of the audience as we find our looks scrutinized and judged by men on a daily basis; be it when we're out and about or in a working environment.
Halfway into the play however, the message of female empowerment had descended into a rather peculiar spectacle. The addition of a lone nude male in the show's second part seemed to be a somewhat incongruous and self-defeating move. I also felt as though the stars of the show, with their abundant meaningless naked dance routines, and footage of the 1971 debate on feminism turned 'Trilogy' into what resembled a bizarre cult initiation session. This theory was somewhat confirmed by Nic Green and Lauren Bradshaw's inviting the audience on to the stage for a mawkish recital of 'Jerusalem' on the show's closing.
Overall, as the show progressed I feel that it's use of nudity for promoting female empowerment radically transformed into it being used as a cheap gimmick that gave men further ammunition to belittle the merits of females.
- Ella, London, England, 15/01/2010 11:51
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I am in agreement with the female posters. However can I just make the point that the original review is by a man and he seems to have "got it". He's not contributing disdain and negativity, but has given a balanced and honest response to this piece of theatre. I have not seen it but would like to and think it sounds very interesting.
- Nick Whiteman, London, UK, 15/01/2010 11:10
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Why do men think that this is about them?
No one's 'man-bashing'.
As someone who has danced in this glorious performance in the past and will do so again in the not too distant future I can say that for me this is liberation, not just for the women who take part, but it sends out a message to all those young women who aspire to media images that its OK to have 'your body'. It doesn't have to look like any one else's. Our beauty comes from the confidence and joy we have inside us and that's what radiates out to the audences who are lucky enough to go and see it.
- Janice B, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, 15/01/2010 10:25
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Why is it so horrid for you, Stuart Perry, to contemplate?? What is so awful about a 40+ woman's body that disgusts or threatens you so much?
I think your comment says so much more about you than it does about the women performing and also mine and Susi H's intelligent thoughtful response.
- Loobiloo, Brighton, UK, 15/01/2010 09:42
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So gentlemen...you obviously have strong feelings about this, and feelings and discussion is the point. I'm not remotely bitter and no man bashing here...you so clearly have no ability to step into the shoes of those you walk beside. This is a celebration of women, recognising our strength, spirit, intellect, apptitude and difference to men. I work for the NHS in sexual health with vulnerable women and men. I am extremely concerned about the sexualisation of women that perpetuates and resonates through our society from such a young age. As an individual, I believe myself to be caring, feminine and thoughtful of the world around me which is why I am involved with Trilogy performing the most liberating of dances with my beautiful tribal women. No more airbrushing or size zero, beauty is so much more real when presented in energy and joy.
We demand nothing, you contribute distain and negativity.
Susi Halley x
- Susi H, London, London, 15/01/2010 01:22
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The very thought of it is just to horrid to contemplate!!
- Stuart Perry, Denver, USA, 14/01/2010 23:58
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How perfectly predictable that two men bother to write such trite responses to a show they havent seen, nor want to see!
Dead feminist horse? You mean we have equality Mr Murphy? I had no idea, but thanks for letting me know. How does stripping off relate to bitterness and 'man bashing' as you so quaintly call it?
Surely Steve J, its obvious that the idea of women of any age, but especially those over 40, who dont have "perfect" bodies feel liberated in this form of public nakedness; they arent performing for the benefit of anyone else, particularly men, they are simply celebrating their bodies and they are doing it for themselves. The naked air hostesses you refer to are no doubt doing it for the profit of your lad's mags.
- Loobiloo, Brighton, UK, 14/01/2010 21:50
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Aargh! I hate it already and I haven't even seen it! (Nor will I). Talk about fighting old battles! Surely that dead feminist horse is well and truly flogged! What is it with these Socialist dinosaurs? The rest of us have moved on from all that miserabalist man-bashing, but no there they are, demanding still some bitterness... - Yuk!
- James Murphy, Petersfield, 14/01/2010 14:38
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How come a bunch of middle aged, bouncing ladies being naked is good for feminism, yet if it was a show about young, sexy, naked air hostesses, it would be degrading to women?
- Steve J, Essex, 14/01/2010 12:54
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