Raising Shame
A city of young people, all with the same secret. But when did private become so shameful?
“Showcasing the commodification and politicisation of our bodies, Raising Shame punctuates hard-hitting stories with absurd comedy, leaving us privy to moments of solidarity, groaning with cringe, and leaving the show as allies, soulmates even.”
— NARC Magazine
Raising Shame presents the real-life experiences of Newcastle’s youth to challenge the stigma of menstruation and its brutal relationship with poverty facing young people today.
It provides menstruation education that smashes stigma and myth. It challenges the body-shaming and gender stereotyping culture rooted in today’s digital world. It supports young people to understand the broader political and social contexts of their experiences of period poverty and stigma. Most importantly, this show empowers its young audiences to stand up side by side, and accept one another.
In 2020-21, Raising Shame had a sell-out tour at Byker Community Centre, Northern Stage, Benfield School, and Theatre Hullabaloo.
Raising Shame was originally commissioned as part of a wider social action project, ‘Project M’ run by Streetwise Young People’s Project. This project was set up to fight period poverty in Newcastle by allowing young people to access free period products discreetly by visiting Streetwise and getting an ‘M-Card’. The service has been designed by young people for young people, and is inclusive and supportive. Anyone aged 11-25 is eligible and can get advice on issues relating to their periods.
With thanks to Arts Council England, City of Dreams, and Virgin Money Foundation for their support of this project.
Written & Directed by Bethan Kitchen
Produced by Lydia Brickland
Sound Design by Roma Yagnik
Movement Direction by Vivian Wood
Production Managed by Andrea Arnold
Technical Assistance by Aaron Martin
Dramaturgy Matilda Neill
Marketing by Natalie Price
Cast
Sarah Boulter
Brogan Gilbert
Wambui Hardcastle
Mac Sproates
“It was beautiful. Gave resources to so many different people and problems that so many people didn’t know existed. Thank you.”
— Student, Benfield School
“The facilitator quickly established trust to enable the group to open up about their experiences and anxieties around period shame. The students thoroughly enjoyed the work she did with them. As a school we all really enjoyed the first-class, high quality production, made with real voices!”
— Teacher, Benfield School
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