Robert vs the world

Went to see a play called Girl X at the Traverse Theatre as a guy was in it who I met through work.

I thought it was absolutely fantastic, one of the most intelligent plays I have seen.

Here's what it was about (from the website):

Eleven year old Girl X has severe cerebral palsy and the mental age of a 5-month old infant. Her condition will not, cannot, change or improve. Her mother believes that, for Girl X, the physical changes that accompany adolescence can only bring distress. So, to spare her the onset of menstruation, Mrs X has requested that surgeons remove her daughter's womb. The doctors have accepted the argument that this controversial surgery will, ultimately, improve her quality of life and have sought legal approval to carry out the procedure.

In Girl X the case is examined from the point of view of the onlookers, a Greek chorus that asks what could or should happen next? Performer and disabled rights activist Robert Softley challenges this chorus, examining the case and related ethical issues. When do private matters become public concern? Is the majority always right? Do wheelchair users know better? Where will it all end?

Inspired by debates on internet forums, Girl X is a powerful and provocative new fully staged piece of theatre from Pol Heyvaert, the creator of the National Theatre of Scotland's extraordinary Aalst co-produced with Belgian theatre company Victoria.

There was something about the way it was put together that really worked. It was set up as an online discussion with the guy I know debating with a choir speaking in unison to represent everyone else. What was great about the 'online'-style format is that this allows things to be said that would usually get brushed under the carpet as it would if you were really in a chatroom. Just about everything relevant (and irrelevant) got an airing - whether appropriate or inappropriate, PC or offensive, empathetic or patronising. Things people don't usually say out loud. Having the world's innermost thoughts be brought up and then knocked down gave the argument even more weight. On both sides I suppose, although I'm with the PC brigade.

And it wasn't preachy, it was funny too, which made it all the more engaging.

Challenging stuff.

And Robert was great :o)