It was a privilege to be part of the audience for this unrehearsed reading of ‘The Election Monologues’ in the bar of the Traverse.
This was a global theatrical event with readings also taking place on 4th November in England, Australia, Greece and the USA.
Suzie Miller’s powerful script is based on interviews with librarians and doctors working in the state of Idaho, USA. Conceived by Abigail Gonda, this is intended to be a wake-up call on the eve of the US Presidential election. The message is clear: there is an attack on liberal democracy. Rights and freedoms we have taken for granted for decades are threatened. And the danger is not just to America. Far right activism and populism are evident in many countries including the UK.
In 2022 the US Supreme Court overthrew the landmark decision of 1973 in Roe v Wade which had ruled that women had a Constitutional right to have an abortion. Judges voted 5-4, and three of the judges in the conservative majority had been appointed by Donald Trump.
Since the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, 17 of the 50 states have outlawed nearly all abortions. More than half of the 17 don’t even allow abortions if a woman has been raped. And there are 8 other states which only allow abortions between 8 and 23 weeks of pregnancy.
A few days ago, Donald Trump said he would protect women “whether the women like it or not.”
Two of the monologues deal with the issue of libraries. In many American states militant conservatives, often Christian fundamentalists, are increasingly focusing their attention on libraries, calling for bans on books they dislike – and that includes any that show any sympathy to those from the LGBT community, and also books about racial justice and African American history. Libraries (and also schools) have come under increasing pressure to ban books, often facing intimidation.
The actors only received their scripts a few days ago, and only had one reading together before the performance. They stand at a lectern and speak into a microphone. It doesn’t sound ideal. But they do a remarkable job, only looking at their scripts occasionally. All four characters are brought to life. A scintillating script is done justice by four excellent actors. Outstanding and very moving performances.
Neshla Caplan plays a gynecologist who faces prosecution if she terminates a pregnancy unless it can be proved that the mother has been raped or her life is in danger. Her position is untenable as she can’t carry out the job for which she trained. It’s heartbreaking to have to explain to a vulnerable, frightened patient that she’ll have to travel to another state to get an abortion.
Kirsty McDuff plays a librarian. Even though she’s personally conservative and religious, she’s on the receiving end of belligerent and often threatening complaints about books. A job she once loved turns into a daily ordeal, and she develops huge anxiety issues.
Kirsten Henderson plays a 15-year-old girl whose boyfriend forced her to have sex with him. Because she was raped, she could theoretically get an abortion even in Idaho, but she does not want to go through the added trauma of going to the police. Even when she does manage to travel to another state, she finds the abortion clinic is under siege by demonstrators. And when she enters a building labelled ‘Pregnancy Help’, she’s harangued for having underage sex and told to have the baby.
Reuben Joseph plays a library board member. He believes that conservative activists want to see books banned and ultimately libraries closed. The fact he’s black makes him even more of a target. His address is posted on social media and an intimidating crowd of about 100 people gather outside his house where he lives with his wife and two sons.
Whoever wins the US Presidential election, these issues will remain of crucial importance in America, the UK and many other countries for the foreseeable future. I hope the Traverse will consider bringing this show back with a full production.
Further information: www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/the-election-monologues-autumn-24
Reviewer: Tom Scott
Reviewed: 4th November 2024
North West End UK Rating: