Theatre / International Women's Day
Preview: International Women’s Day Special, Bristol Improv Theatre
Celebrating International Women’s Day with a bit of a twist, the Bristol Improv Theatre will showcase a range of exceptional women.
Taking place at the Bristol Improv Theatre on Saturday, March 7, the evening of entertainment will take the form of three parts: An exhibition of artwork created by performers and collaborators in response to newly unearthed stories, a hybrid improv adventure from London-based Derek’s MoJo and one-off show If These Could Talk.
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The Exhibition of Inspirational Women will kick off the night at 6.30pm, which can be enjoyed with a cocktail in hand in the Bristol Improv Theatre’s Bar. The exhibition includes work from Brighton artists as well as pieces created by the performers of If These Walls Could Talk.
Derek’s MoJo will perform at the Bristol Improv Theatre for International Women’s Day. Photo courtesy of Derek’s Mojo
The first act, If These Walls Could Talk, is a new show directed by The Delight Collective’s Imogen Palmer and starring 12 women from Bristol.
The show tells stories of inspiring women from the last 100 years, with scenes taking place in 1920, 1980 and 2020.
“It’s the most nourishing and healing show,” says director Imogen Palmer. “There’s something incredibly healing about telling the stories of inspiring women.
“It’s a show focusing not on life being hard, but instead it’s focusing on celebration. Life is, of course, hard and there is pain in the show, but it’s first and foremost a celebration.”
If These Walls Could Talk originates from the Bristol Improv Theatre’s 2019 International Women’s Day show, which Imogen performed in. 2019’s show was based on stories from the audience, and Imogen describes the 2020 reincarnation as its “next stage”.
Derek’s MoJo will take to the stage at 8pm, weaving traditional, improvised games with longer-form narrative to explore friendship. A collaboration between Monica Gaga and Jodyanne FR, it’s a fun, fast-paced and feminist show, full of twists and turns.
Imogen Palmer is Bristol Improv Theatre’s school manager and director of If These Walls Could Talk. Photo courtesy of Theatre Bristol
“I believe deeply in the visibility of women and oppressed genders, and raising their voices,” Imogen adds. “This show is almost like passing a kindness baton to other people. It’s about sharing our light”
Bristol Improv Theatre’s International Women’s Day Special take place from 6.30pm on Saturday, March 7. If These Walls Could Talk kicks off at 7.30pm. Find out more and get tickets at www.improvtheatre.co.uk/event/international-womens-day-special-featuring-dereks-mojo
The Bristol Improv Theatre also teaches improv classes, with a drop in for women and non-binary people on the last Thursday of the month. Find out more at www.improvtheatre.co.uk/drop-ins
Main photo courtesy of Derek’s MoJo
Read more: Review: IMOGENÉ: the improvised pop concert, Bristol Improv Theatre
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