EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Abi Zakarian

BWW speaks to writer Abi Zakarian about her 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show "Fabric".

What can you tell us about Fabric?
Fabric is the story of a woman, Leah, who finds herself taken apart by events in her life. She is a funny, vibrant, complex, flawed, utterly normal woman who navigates the dictates of society that she thought she was happy to live by until she suffers a horrific attack. But she chooses not to let it destroy her and in doing so confronts the very things she thought defined her. It's a pretty full on tour de force by Nancy (Sullivan) and the set and sound design all add to a real performance piece feel to the play.

What inspired you to write the play?

Anger at the inequality and everyday sexism rampant in our society. Anger that rape survivors are dehumanised and vilified through the press and social media. Anger that too many times I've heard people use phrases like 'well it's not rape rape' and 'yes, but she looked older than 15' as somehow mitigating factors in sexual abuse.

Were you shocked by anything you found when researching Fabric?

Yes. I found that over 85,000 women are raped and sexually assaulted every year. That around only 15% of those who experience sexual violence report it to the police and that approximately 90% of those who are raped know their attacker. Conviction rates for rape fell last year to 56.9%. These are horrific figures.

It is suggested that Fabric is for 14+. Would you think about adding a
trigger warning? The play sounds very graphic.

There is a warning on the door in Tonbridge (where the play opened). We have had school groups see the play (15 - 18 year olds) who had very insightful and passionate responses to the story of Leah. The producers have been very clear to these groups about the content of the play and box offices are made aware so they can advise audiences prior to booking. The scene that deals with the attack itself is not graphic in a physical sense. It is Leah using her own words, telling her own story; reclaiming it. It is not easy to hear or watch but I was not interested in writing a scene with shocking visual content as I felt there are enough of those scenes everywhere in film, theatre, TV, porn etc already and they serve only to sensationalise what should be dealt with hugely sensitively, and we have had input from several rape counsellors who have given the play strong endorsement.

Who would you recommend Fabric to?

Absolutely everyone. This is something that affects us all; we need to confront it, talk about it openly, educate, and start to dismantle the rape culture that is pervading our society.

Timings and ticket information for Fabric are available on the edfringe website. Fabric also embarks on a UK tour after the Fringe.

Photo credit: Pamela Raith.

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