Travesti: Gender Studies

Society seems to have come a long way in terms of equality, but how equal is it really when it comes to gender? Have we reached an equilibrium on this subject or have we just become desensitised to the issues that still plague our society? In an attempt to address the issue of gender, Unbound Productions unveils Travesti, a show that sees an all-male cast perform real stories of real women.

The Pleasance Theatre, as part of its 30th birthday, presents an eclectic range of shows covering a multitude of themes including mental health, war, and feminism. With Travesti, feminism is explored innovatively and without the strong female lead that often goes hand in hand with feminist theatre.

“Personally, I am frustrated by the theatre I’ve seen that tackles feminist issues, as often I walk out feeling bullied and attacked for being a man rather than rallied and excited by the idea of equality,” states Bradley Leech, the show’s producer.

This is one reason why Unbound Productions was created in 2012 when Bradley Leech and Rebecca Hill decided they would like to make theatre they wanted to see. Their previous production Torque – as stated on their website – “is about communication in relationships, equality regardless of disability, and what we are willing to sacrifice for love.” Equality seems to be an important issue for this relatively new company as they push the theme even further in this piece.

With gender equality constantly in the media, whether through gay marriage legislation, schools staging demonstrations for the rights of LGBT students, or more recently the openly transgender Laverne Cox being nominated for an Emmy for her role in Orange is the New Black, it is a topical subject that all ages can engage with. 

It is refreshing to see a production tackling these themes in a way that may cause people to sit up and take notice. As actor James Lawrence (Zadkiel) says, “We have a responsibility as men and women to keep pushing for change and equality.” This is what Unbound’s latest piece aims to do.

The cast of this adventurous piece sing, dance, and gossip their way through women’s real experiences of what may seem to be trivialities such as unruly body hair, but also the darker side of being a woman, such as being groped on public transport and sexual violence. Furthermore, it seeks to open up discussion on the social roles given to both men and women. There is little talk of sexual violence or domestic abuse towards men within the media or society as a whole, yet it does occur, although it might not be reflected in recent statistics. Do these social roles impact on such things being reported, and if so, why? Unbound have also given thought to this. 

“My intention with Travesti was to explore both genders – the struggles of both – and remind people that first and foremost we are all human, and we’re genders second”, reveals Hill.

With a piece like this, Unbound will no doubt be hoping the audience takes something away from Travesti in the form of questioning their own morals and expanding their own thinking, though with the title being so close to ‘travesty’ they are hoping it is not to be one, as Hill admits that “it is a bit of a risk – if critics don't like the play, we have handed them a pun on a platter for their articles!” [Christine Lawler]