Episode 28 - Windsor Feminist Theatre at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe

ABOUT THE SHOW

WATCHING GLORY DIE

Judith Thompson’s riveting and exquisite portrayal of three women trapped in a broken prison system will leave you dumbfounded.The play is inspired by the shocking and true story of teenager, Ashley Smith, who – after five years of being misdiagnosed, and mistreated, hallucinating away in ‘therapeutic quiet’ – died by suicide in her prison cell because the guards were ordered not to interfere.

When asked why she wrote the play, Ms. Thompson stated:

“because Ashley is an outlier, like every artist. Ashley simply could not be a “good girl.” She could not shut up and do what she was told. She was wild, and reckless, and if she had been a boy, she would have been admired. The artist’s job is to throw those crab apples, to unsettle and startle conforming folks, to question everything. That is what Ashley was doing, in her way, and she paid with her life. Hers was not a suicide. It was a homicide. It was, in fact, ruled a homicide in civil court. Who was punished for her death? Only the guards, who were doing their jobs, afraid to jeopardize their pensions. Those who gave the orders were promoted. I am as interested in the guard, who I call Gail, and Ashley’s mother Coralee, who I call Rosellen, as I am in Ashley. Three women, all ensnared in patriarchal fascism.”

WINDSOR FEMINIST THEATRE

Windsor Feminist Theatre, a non-profit theatre company founded in 1980, is recognised as one of the nation’s first feminist theatre organisations and is among the oldest organisations of its kind in Canada.

MISSION STATEMENT
Illuminating the reality of women’s lives and stories through theatre and the arts.

CORPORATE OBJECTS
a) To provide improved opportunities and facilities for the general public to become aware of and appreciate theatre arts relating to the situation of women;
b) To provide improved opportunities and facilities for emergent and established artistic talent, and to conduct or support performances, recitals, workshops, artists’ residencies, and other like events for such purposes;
c) To promote interest in and study of theatre arts on the status of women.

VISION STATEMENT
“A community that values and celebrates women’s stories expressed through the arts.”

GOVERNING CORE VALUES
A Feminist Framework – We recognize & support the social, ethnic, political, and economic empowerment of women and girls.
Engagement – We encourage critical thought and creative expression for effecting social change with participating artists and our audience.
Learning – We foster collaborative mentorship, training and education within our organization and our community.

Twitter: @windsorfemtheat
IG: @windsorfemtheat
Website: http://windsorfeministtheatre.ca/about/