Rites is a powerful and provocative new production exploring the deep-rooted cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation. This ritual of enforced cutting has been performed for centuries and millions of girls worldwide, often as young as five years old, are still subjected to it. The reasons are complicated and myriad. It depends who you are, and it depends what you've been taught. Some things are simple though: FGM is still happening across the world. FGM is happening in the UK, here and now.
Rites is based on recent interviews and true stories from girls affected in Scotland and the rest of the UK, mothers who feel under pressure to continue the practice, and the experiences of midwives, lawyers, police officers, teachers and health workers trying to effect change in communities. Weaving together different perspectives into a multi-voiced production, the play explores the complexities, misconceptions and challenges involved in trying to change what is to many, a fundamental rite of passage.
Rites is an impressive work. It might not be as even handed as it claims at times, but it is a very effective political statement on a taboo subject that deserves to be discussed in far greater detail.
Rites is not a call to arms; it is a powerful call to listen.
Unflinching.
It’s an undeniably powerful piece of reality theatre that tackles the complexities of its subject head-on and is sensitively performed by the five-strong cast.
Rarely are there moments of drama; rarely are there even moments of dialogue. But perhaps that’s no bad thing for a subject which has quite enough emotion boiling around it already.
There is no definitive answer here; the collection of confessions gives weight to all sides of the argument and that is a good place to start. Understanding the many nuances of the FGM discussion, is the first step towards making a change.
The overriding impression is one of consciousness-raising; of a group of ordinary men and women trying to make sense of a complex situation and, crucially, to map a way forward.
Ultimately, one can’t help but feel that the immense research and political engagement involved in the show would be better served by TV or film documentary.
The five actors deserve credit for giving some fine, naturalistic performances, and despite the lack of theatricality, this is sincerely worth seeing for the content alone.
Theatre preview: Rites
New NTS play Rites hopes to shed light on FGM
Tron Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday May 5, 2015, until Saturday May 9, 2015. More info: www.tron.co.uk
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday May 26, 2015, until Saturday May 30, 2015. More info: www.traverse.co.uk