What is the aim of the project?

From development to performance, this innovative project is designed to place women and their experiences centre stage. Whilst paying homage to its literary and linguistic origins, it aspires to radically reimagine the female characters of early modern Spanish theatre, giving voice to their experiences and suffering, and creating a new narrative in a bid to recover female agency. In so doing, it highlights both the continued relevance of early modern theatre and historical study to a contemporary audience and also demonstrates the enduring nature of the female experience. By re-focusing the audience’s attention on moments of violence that often changes the course of the female characters’ lives forever and the trauma that inevitably follows, this project asks whether there is a way to explore these moments in a manner that is productive and generative, that simultaneously protects those who are vulnerable whilst also empowering them. By not shying away from taboo, by overtly acknowledging its presence and exploring the after effects of abuse, this project boldly searches for a new way of discussing and performing gender violence and trauma in the hope that we can bring about real change in the future.

What does the title mean?

We have chosen the title Vengadas for a number of different reasons. First and foremost, because it pays homage to the countless women who suffered abuse of varying degrees in early modern plays. Despite the atrocities inflicted upon these women, so little space and time on the stage is dedicated to exploring what happened and what the consequences were. Secondly, we opted for the Spanish adjective, written in the female plural form, as it speaks to a universality of experience. The sheer number of these characters attests to the commonality and wide-spread nature of abuse, a fact that we wanted to recognise and to which we wanted to draw attention. Lastly, we chose this title because it elicits a link between the past and present, between these fictional characters on stage and us – we who are avenging their abuse and giving them voice. Whilst society has inevitably changed since the early modern period, the violence and trauma remain and we feel their effects as acutely today as in the past. Through this project we hope to give these women space, to acknowledge what they have experienced, to reflect upon what has and what has not changed and, above all, to consider how we can begin to imagine a different future. 

What safeguarding measures are being put in place?

The safety and security of everyone involved is of the upmost importance. Given the nature of the topics being explored, we will be actively taking a number of different precautions. 

Firstly, there will be a warning and reminder issued on all material that there will be discussions and depictions of rape, assault, and trauma. We do not want anyone who may be triggered by such material to ever be caught off guard or caused unnecessary upset.

Secondly, during the workshops and production we will be working with professionals in intimacy direction. These specialists will help us to ensure all participants are safe and comfortable at all times. We will also be working alongside a well-being consultant throughout the project. This company provides information and support to participants and performers on a group and individual level.

Lastly, the project is being developed in constant dialogue with professionals who have first-hand experience in aiding survivors of violence and abuse. Luisa Boada is a trained psychologist and will be working to create and facilitate community outreach workshops that are safe and effective. All material will undergo rigorous examination before it is released. 

If you have any further suggestions on how we can ensure the safety and security of those involved in the project, please do get in touch. 

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Absolutely not. 

All of the workshops will be held in translation to ensure they are as accessible as possible. If, however, you do speak Spanish and would like to use this in your artistic interpretation, then we would also fully support you in this.

The performance will be bilingual and can be understood by both Spanish and English speakers.

Am I eligible to apply for the student workshops?

Currently the workshops are open to graduate students only (taught and research) due to the sensitive nature of the themes being explored in the project. If you are an undergraduate or have recently graduated and would like to be involved, please contact us so that we can discuss on a case-by-case basis.

Please note, workshops are free for all participants.

How else can I get involved?

We are always on the lookout for new collaborators, academic, artistic, or otherwise. If you would like to work together or collaborate in some way please send us an email.