Review: Sirens, Tobacco Factory Theatres

Wailing, barking, shouting and high-pitched screams from six women in gowns who appear as if they are about to perform an operatic piece: this is not how you would expect a theatre production to begin. But Sirens is no usual theatre production. It’s a wild, raw and creative exploration of the underlying misogyny threaded through our culture – and its effects on women.

The show begins with out-of-time, hilarious yet awkward grunts and wails, and the audience may wonder what on earth they’ve let themselves in for. Especially when the women on stage erupt into a loud, high-pitched scream that makes your ears burn. But fear not: this is merely setting the precedent for the show – a precedent that says women are allowed and should be encouraged to take up space, make noise, and exist beyond what we deem as ‘beautiful’.

Sirens moves seamlessly from a light-hearted, comical poke at the way women are viewed and portrayed by society at large – as both sexual objects of desire and consumers of beauty products that will ‘fix them’ – and an exploration of the pressures put on women by the modern world, to the dark and sinister side of misogyny and everyday sexism.

The show is both humorous yet harrowing: the actors often do not take themselves too seriously, giving the otherwise serious show a comical edge. It begins with a hilarious portrayal of women as consumers and the hatred and bitchiness encouraged within female circles, something that everyone can see in everyday life.

Yet the humour quickly turns dark,as the actors start reading out unbearably misogynistic ‘jokes’  which hammer home the true nature of the ingrained misogyny that exists in our society. This is one of the most uncomfortable parts of the show, as the ‘jokes’ are never-ending and the audience’s awkward laughter swiftly turns to shock.

Alongside the jokes, we hear readings of typical ‘everyday sexism’ quotes, overridden with the notion that these moments of everyday sexism women suffer aren’t important because there are places in the world where, for example, women can’t drive. Most harrowingly, the show addresses rape culture – and how many women are too scared to live their lives fully because of the risks of simply being a woman.

What makes Sirens so engaging is not simply the material and themes explored, but the show’s all-encompassing energy. Using the power of sound through vocals, monologue, light and visuals, Sirens takes you on a journey of being a woman in a man’s world.

The show ends with a beautiful monologue which at first explores how many women will give their world for a man, allowing that man to do whatever they want to her, whilst she will do anything for him. The monologue then moves into a piece of encouragement: a call to action to be brave, strong, and fierce, and to not give in to the patriarchal status quo of what it means to be a woman.

Sirens may be seen first and foremost as a show by women, for women: but this is not the case. While the themes are important and the nature of their exploration exciting to watch, these themes are not groundbreaking. Women live the truths portrayed in this show every day. However, this show is essential viewing for everyone – a glimpse into how sexism and misogyny really affects women.

Sirens finishes at Tobacco Factory Theatres on Saturday, June 3. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/sirens

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