Huddersfield artist uses show to address violence against women

An artist using theatre to explore themes of surviving sexual violence and harassment has said performing is "cathartic and challenging at the same time".

Dr Prathiba Batley, founder of Eyakkam Dance Theatre in Huddersfield, uses dance, spoken word and music in her show 1,000 Papercuts to highlight her own experiences.

Through different forms, including Bharatanatyam - an Indian dance style - and playing the cajón drum, she said she could "democratise art forms" and address stereotypes.

"Most women, especially South Asian women, are expected to sit with their legs crossed. We don't make noise, we don't talk too much. Here I am, saying, 'I'm going to sit on this cajón, I'm going to make noise'."

"If that means I sing and dance and fight and speak, I will do all of that," Batley said.

"1,000 Papercuts is about getting people to understand what's happening on stage, so we can think about what to do next."

According to Batley, the show, which has received Arts Council England funding, reflected her own experience as a survivor of sexual abuse and workplace harassment.

She described it as "a difficult labour of love" to put together, but one that conveyed an important message.

"It is cathartic and challenging at the same time because you relive that trauma every single time you go into the studio space or into the theatre," she explained.

"The purpose behind Eyakkam is not just about physical movement, it is a social movement.

"It is something I use to move into the milieu of current issues, to address social justice, to talk about things that are pertinent to our life."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at BBC Action Line .

Batley said she worked with mental health professionals and a women's centre in Kirklees to develop the show.

"We want to be careful because there will be triggers, but you want to also have an impactful presentation," she said.

"That's how it came about with care in mind, but also with this crux of activating people."

The performance ends with a Q&A session which allows the audience to be connected to local services, including mental health charities.

1,000 Papercuts was co-produced by Lawrence Batley Theatre, and will be performed at York University on Saturday 28 October.

Touring the show, as well as developing the show into the Tamil language, would allow her to "reach a wider audience" and increase "audience participation", Batley added.

"Hopefully, we can create relationships between audiences and the services available in that location, and give them all these toolkits to take back with them.

"So, not just stop at performance, but continuing to activism, continuing to impact in daily life."

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