alt cardiff. If it’s offbeat and in Cardiff then it’s in here.
Mind your own uterus ! The Feminist Society reclaiming their bodies through art activism.
Gayatri Malhotra Unsplash 2021
Issue 1 Jan. 2022
Theatre Yoga Activism
Culture Active Business
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NEWS
NEWS
The long awaited reopening of Sherman Theatre’s Christmas performances
After a long period of closure due to Covid-19, the Sherman Theatre opens its doors to the public for the return of its Christmas performances
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The theatre business struggled to stay afloat during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: Unsplash)
fter being unable to hold live performances last year, the Sherman Theatre is delighted to announce their traditional two new actor, musician-led productions this Christmas. Marketing manager, Ed Newsome reported, “Throughout the lockdowns, Sherman Theatre used digital media extensively to continue to carry out our work. “Now that our doors are open once again, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences back to the Sherman.” On the larger stage, the Main House, Gary Owen’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, aimed at audiences aged 7+, will be directed by Joe Murphy in his debut Main House production as artistic director.
The smaller Studio theatre will simultaneously be staging a bilingual production of The Elves and the Shoemaker / Y Coblynnod a’r Crydd, adapted by Katherine Chandler and directed by Sara Lloyd. This production will be performed in both English and Welsh in separate performances, aiming to give children aged 3-6 their first introduction to theatre. The Sherman Theatre is a unique drama experience, as with every “Made at Sherman” production, both Christmas shows have been rehearsed, created and envisioned under the roof of the Sherman. Both creative writers who adapt the beloved classics are some of Wales’s best writers who work continuously within the Sherman. While still adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines, on selected dates, the theatre also makes its performances more accessible offering, such as: BSL interpretation, audio commentary, and relaxed performances, designed to enable audience members to leave throughout the performance and dimming the lights instead of blackouts. Deputy house manager, Aled Wyn Thomas commented on everything the Sherman Theatre team does to try to ensure the ecology of the theatre remains stable, accessible, and welcoming to anyone who wishes to work within the sector. Aled commented, “Sherman Theatre prides itself on being a place for everyone and it was a huge shame that we couldn’t welcome people into the building for such a long period of time. “
Fight Night returns after delay for 2 years Fight night, one of the most anticipated nights in Cardiff, for both students and the Cardiff public, returned this month after two years of being unable to go ahead due to Covid-19. The black tie, formal event gives the audience an excuse to dress up in all their glamour and for students from around Cardiff to volunteer to fight in the boxing event. The 16 fighters who will appear in the event are all students who volunteered to fight and received eight weeks of intensive training from professional coaches. The student boxers all have a strict diet, drinking ban and fitness regime implemented to prepare them for their fights on tuesday. One of the student boxers, Marc Muhlemann, 21, said “It’s good that events like this can be held again and great to actually be a part of it.” Spencer Power, 21, talked about what he expected from the event, suggesting he was proud to go out there and just enjoy himself, expressing what he has learnt and focused on for the last five weeks. He said, “also after several weeks on a drinking ban, I can’t wait for a beer after!”
Goodbye Castle Emporium: the closure of another indie market and its small businesses Earlier this year, there was shocking news as Cardiff’s beloved Castle Emporium announced its closure, evicting the existing small businesses from their trading community. With only 30 days’ notice, the shops featured in the Wombay Street indie market were informed they would have to relocate elsewhere, putting an end to the month rolling contract they had held with Castle Emporium management since 2015. Whilst regular customers to the emporium were sad to see the businesses being forced out because of their unique trading qualities which make Cardiff feel different compared to other capital cities, there has since been positive news on relocation. Previous customers to the Emporium can now find their favourite stores in Corp Market in Canton, Cardiff or for Tropigaz the plant shop is now in Castle Arcade.
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
She saved many lives: “I could still walk out the front door, but they couldn’t” Yoga tutor and disability advocate, Mary Madhavi, was named one of Cardiff’s Covid-19 heroes after moving her “YogaMobility” classes online. During this time, her partner lost his mother to Covid-19 and his brother to cancer, but neither were able to visit due to their need to shield. Mary recognised how traumatised she and her partner were from these events anyway, regardless of the current state of the world. While for anyone this amount of loss would cause an enormous amount of pain, Mary still focused on the positives she could take from her situation.
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Mary Madhavi is nothing but smiles when talking about her charity Yogamobility (Credit: Suzie Larke).
n a warm and brightly coloured room, Mary, 71, sits huddled in a blanket, suffering from a chest infection. Her current illness does nothing to hide her eccentric and sparkling persona, as she proudly points at the array of artwork and sculptures that decorate her and her partner Jason’s home in Roath, Cardiff. Creativity is just one of the components Mary needs to run her disabled charity: “YogaMobility.” Her background in counselling and empathetic nature allowed her to meet with around 60 different families, pre Covid-19 lockdown, all with profound levels of disability. Mary has taught accessible yoga for many disabilities, from arthritis and MS to cancer patients and those suffering with psychological conditions. Due to the rise of Covid-19 “YogaMobility” were no longer able to meet in person, making it impossible to hoist or lower their clients without making contact, so Mary made the difficult decision to transfer over to online.
“The neighbours have been very kind, and people were so careful and caring. It all increased the empathy I had for those within the disabled community.” Mary took the responsibility to motivate those who were slowly becoming institutionalised in both their bodies and minds due to isolation. Ultimately, Mary’s perseverance saved their lives, both mentally and physically. Cardiff City’s public agreed, as Mary was voted as one of Cardiff’s Covid-19 heroes. Although Mary appeared humbly embarrassed about the whole affair, the award truly reflected the hard work she had done to support others during such a difficult time. Her win meant that famous artist to the stars, Jason Wyburg, painted a portrait of Mary that was displayed throughout Cardiff city centre. All the Covid-19 heroes’ portraits will later be displayed within the National Museum Cardiff, in an exhibition about the pandemic in Wales. “We continue to run classes, both online for those who are frightened and unable to leave the house, but also around 20 people returning to in-person sessions twice a week.”
“Ultimately, the community is still together.” Mary’s eyes began to glaze over at this point, as she recalled the tremendous effort she maintained throughout the continuous lockdowns. “I felt like I had lost the work I had done all my life. I didn’t know how to operate!”
Mary’s charity runs yoga classes for people with disabilities (Source: Unsplash).
A R T
FEATURE
FEATURE
ctivists tackle anti-abortion campaigns with art
hrough our art we want to send a message of love!
Feminist society uses art to combat the intimidating presence of anti-abortion campaigners in Cardiff and spread positive messages about accessible sexual health services 4
Words by Sian Hopkins
The inclusive art evening encouraged those who attended to collaborate on a united banner. Credit: Sian Hopkins
Trigger warning: Mentions of Abortion
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ardiff is not immune to the rising presence of anti-abortion groups and protests, who return throughout the year to intimidate women accessing BPAS abortion services in the city centre and campaigning outside Cardiff University’s Student’s Union. The Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR UK) have been plaguing the Cardiff public for many years, with large graphic images of supposedly aborted foetuses and offering advice on saving unborn children. The Feminist society at Cardiff Student’s Union had enough of CBR’s presence and anti-abortion protests outside the university and pulled together an inclusive art evening. When speaking with the feminist society’s president, Bethany Magennis-Prior, 22, she shared what the feminist committee had been hoping to achieve from their inclusive art evening.
An evening of creativity
Collaborating with the CUSU women’s officer, the inclusive art night was a chance for members of Cardiff university, the feminist society and general public, to come together and create beautiful art to contrast with the pro-life graphic images. Bethany explained, “People made posters, handouts and poems to give out to people when the pro-lifers were there, to keep for themselves, or for our International Women’s Day event that we are hoping to hold in March. When asked where they were hoping to display their art, Bethany mentioned their plan to tackle the protestors next time by taking the collaborative banner, that had been made at the pro-choice art night and standing opposite the anti-abortion protestors. She said, “This is so that when people walk past they can look at our beautiful art instead of their falsified images.”
FEATURE
FEATURE BPAS opinion
Health organisations in Cardiff, such as BPAS, similarly acknowledge the danger of anti-abortion groups and their intimidation for women to access necessary services. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) a is the UK’s leading abortion care service, in which they campaign for female reproductive choices and rights.
“Abortion care is legal and women deserve to access it without fear of being targeted in the street.” - Molly Boydon, BPAS spokesperson
The Feminist Society agreed with BPAS’s analysis of anti-abortion groups’ intimidation and the damage they can cause within the locations they target. One of the biggest issues with them (CBR UK) protesting outside places like Cardiff University main building, the Student Union and the city centre, is that due to their placement, large numbers of people walk past them when they are there, and it causes extreme distress for lots of people.
Empowerment through art Credit: Gayatri Malhorta Source: Unsplash
One of their longest withstanding campaigns “Back Off” resolves to put a stop to the intimidation of anti-abortion groups, that ultimately prevent many women from accessing abortion care services like BPAS. The decision to end an unwanted pregnancy is a far from easy decision. While it is a legal service in the United Kingdom, many still face this unfair intimidation and debate around their choice to have an abortion. Molly Boydon, a spokesperson for BPAS, explained, “The presence of these [anti-abortion] groups can be incredibly distressing for clients who often report feeling intimidated, distressed and, in some cases, too scared to get to their appointment.”
One person who attended the inclusive art evening, Annie Thomas, 21, shared why she got involved with the art evening and what she drew. She said, “I drew like my body my choice and pictures of uteruses. I went because i think it’s important to stop the pro lifers from expressing their hatred.” Those involved shared their thoughts on how tackling the protesters with art will be effective because art is beautiful and what the anti-abortion protestors are spreading is not. Bethany concluded, “we hope that people will feel strengthened and empowered in seeing the artwork that we have created, countering their [CBR UK] hatefulness.”
Accessible abortion and family planning services are essential to ensuring that people are able to exercise their reproductive choice. Abortion care is legal – and women deserve to access it without fear of being targeted in the street. Credit: Sian Hopkins