Rascal Theatre's Newest Show GALVANISE Premieres At VAULT Festival

Rascal Theatre presents Galvanise, a new play by Helena Westerman.

VAULT Festival 27th February - 3rd March 18.25 and 15.25 (Saturday only) https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/galvanise/

1503 - Anacaona, Chieftain to the Taino people is hung in the square by Nicolás de Ovando.

1570, Grace O'Malley, an Irish Pirate, controls the west seas of Ireland by land and ship.

1858, Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhani, leads rebel armies against the English, with her son strapped to her back.

2018, three school girls in South London face their final year at school.

Shanay, Lakshana and Jess have been best friends for years, but as their home lives become tense, mental health deteriorates and their future looms, their friendship is tested. The year progresses and tales of women gone before them become relevant, rousing and frightening, warping their present and electrifying their futures.

Working across art forms the piece uses animation by Diana Garcia to blend past with present and bring women from history to life on stage. Galvanise celebrates female history and unbreakable friendships, alongside this project Rascal Theatre will be supporting Women for Women International, a charity supporting the most marginalised women in countries affected by conflict and war.

Helena and Caroline met on Facebook after Helena wrote a play and Caroline volunteered to direct it. They formed Rascal Theatre and began producing new, contemporary writing that discusses identity in the 21st century. Rascal Theatre's debut show An Act Of Kindness received sell out runs on tour including Theatre503 and Edinburgh Fringe 2017, where it won the Theatre Weekly's 'Best of the Fest' award for Best Writing, VAULT Festival where it was named 'Pick of the Week' by The Stage and The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham. The show was produced in support of men's mental health charity CALM. To find out more, visit the Rascal Theatre website https://www.rascaltheatre.com

Cast and Creatives

Shanay - Angelina Chudi

Lakshana - Raagni Sharma

Jess - Helena Westerman

Director - Caroline Simonsen

Producer - Rascal Theatre

Associate Producer - Saxon Mudge

Composer - Christina Orchard

Animator - Diana Garcia

Projection Adviser - Louise Rhoades-Brown