Nasty Wom*n
Written and Directed by Dara Beth
Previous Performances
Alexander Bar and Theatre, Cape Town | 2017
Western Cape Schools' Festival, Cape Town | 2018
Alexander Bar and Theatre, Cape Town | 2019
Masambe Theatre, Cape Town | 2019
Original Cast
Kathleen Stephens | Maria Vos | Masali Baduza
Masali Baduza and Kathleen Stephens, 2017
Photo Credit: Pagy Wicks
Masali Baduza, Kathleen Stephens, and Maria Vos, 2017
Photo Credit: Pagy Wicks
Synopsis
Nasty Wom*n is what you get when you mix Greek mythology, reality TV, gold spray paint, and a writer with no filter. Drawing on the Greek mythologies of Persephone, Medusa, and other not-so-well-known characters, Nasty Wom*n is a collection of sketches about contemporary women just trying to get from one day to the next. This work plays with Greek mythology’s tendency to turn strong women into monsters, and celebrates the different types of monsters we become to survive.
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If you really love Greek mythology, the old Divas of WWE or trashing other women, then this is probably not the play for you. But if you love the Kardashians, candid CNN interviews, gold (everywhere), interrogating the spelling of "woman", and smashing the patriarchy one rape-culture-drenched mythological origin story at a time, this might just be your cup of tea.
Production Note: Since its inception, the spelling of the play's title has shifted to reflect some changes to the text; notably the interrogation of the spelling of "woman".
"A gateway to conversations people hadn’t previously had the vocabulary to hold…"
extract from interview with B Sharp Entertainment
"You will laugh, but the play is undeniably a tragedy…a universe made of gold, glitter, and unapologetic inter-sectional feminism."
Misa Narrates
Listen to an interview with Dara Beth about the making of the play
Media & Reviews
"A delicious deconstruction of Greek mythology; wrestling with narratives; images with women we need to reassess. It seamlessly blends mythology with the Muses musing about gender, body image, definitions…a wry and witty piece of writing…"
The Cape Robyn
"Mixing the stories of Persephone, Medusa and other smaller Greek mythological characters, and spinning a fresh, modern and contemporary take on these timeless characters…"
extract from review/interview with Vulture Productions