Rites
Theatre Production
Created in collaboration with Yusra Warsama
Director
★★★★
“Rites is not a call to arms; it is a powerful call to listen.”
- The List
Rites is a powerful and provocative 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.
Photo by Sally Jubb
Photo by Sally Jubb
Photo by Sally Jubb
Photo by Sally Jubb
Photo by Sally Jubb
Photo by Sally Jubb
★★★★
“Rites provides a bold and challenging perspective on the controversial practise of Female Genital Mutilation”
- The Big Issue
★★★★
“The text itself is compelling and horrifying, enlightening and baffling, offering a full spectrum of opinions and experiences, and the knowledge that these are not the phrases of a disassociated playwright but are lived experiences, gives it that extra hit of potency”
- TV Bomb
★★★★
“it's strength is in its quietness, the subject matter enough to stir the emotions and educate its audience”
★★★★
“The subject matter was dealt with in a mature, self-aware and intelligent manner that genuinely seeks and encourages understanding rather than demonisation.”
- Edinburgh Guide
“While it is uncomfortable viewing at times, this powerful piece of theatre is perfectly constructed and extremely well-performed to effectively promote understanding of this difficult issue.”
- British Theatre Guide
“This Is Real and These Are Real Women and Real Stories and Real Worlds beyond these walls and our limited knowledges . this is necessary in that Rites is as much Theatre as it is Activism and Reportage and the three are inseparable in forming it.”
- Exeunt
Trailer
In the media
Theatre Preview: The List
The issue of FGM is an emotive one, but Bissett’s dynamic, multi-layered direction has demonstrated that she is not only capable of dealing sensitively with tough subjects, but also providing sobering and humane insight.
The Scotsman
New NTS play Rites hopes to shed light on FGM
By drawing on verbatim accounts, the team behind the NTS’s new drama Rites hope to offer a balanced view of FGM, writes Mark Fisher
Creative Team
Created by Cora Bissett and Yusra Warsama
Director Cora Bissett
Set and Costume Designer Jessica Worrall
Lighting Designer Kate Bonney
Sound Designer Patricia Panther
Video Designer Kim Beveridge
Animation Designer Craig Kirk
Dramaturg George Aza-Selinger
Assistant Director Beth Morton
Casting Director Laura Donnelly
Lead Image Farrows Creative & Dill Design
A co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland and Contact, supported by Scottish Refugee Council and Dignity Alert Research Forum.
Cast
Janet Kumah Paida Mutonono Beth Marshall James MacKenzie Deeviya Meir