The Feminist Theatre Festival. Presented by Budding Theatre. The Courtyard Studio, The Canberra Theatre. September 27, 2018 at 6pm. Tickets $10-15. Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au.
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What is it to be a feminist?
It's the big question that has inspired performers and writers involved in the upcoming Feminist Theatre Festival at the Canberra Theatre.
Presented by Budding Theatre, the variety show will feature an "an empowering, fresh line-up" of theatre actors, comedians, singers and poets performing in response to feminism.
Acts on the night will include Soup Kitchens, Vera Lynn and the Lesbians Upstairs, An ode to the unwanted advice I have received from men and The Time My Music Teacher Touched My Boob.
As it's a night dedicated to supporting and empowering women, the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Karinya House Home For Mothers & Babies and Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
Long before producer Kirsty Budding developed the concept of Feminist Theatre Festival, which is in its first year, she was set on the aim.
"Every year when I hire the theatre to produce shows, I produce at least one that is a charity event. In the past, we've focused on animal charities, the RSPCA and World Animal Protection, as I love animals," she says.
"This year, though, I wanted to support a few local charities. So I identified the two organisations first and then I developed a concept which would link in with the great work they do with women."
While Budding is primarily a producer and occasional actor, her background is in playwriting.
For the Feminist Theatre Festival, she'll be contributing a few monologues, including a comedic piece about a woman who is told she can't wear a skirt of a certain length in her workplace.
Her other piece is 5 Minutes on Tinder performed by Canberra actor Glynis Stokes.
Budding's monologues, as well as the other acts, are sure to resonate with female audiences. She also hopes the material will reach a broader audience.
"I invite people who aren't necessarily feminists to come along and just forget that it's about feminism and what their views are on it, and have an open mind.
"Our show has lots of different responses to the feminist theme. And I'm open to people critiquing aspects of feminism and feminist movements if they want to."
