champions women and men having equal representation on stage and screen . They made an analysis of film dialogue across 2,000 modern screenplays . It showed men between the ages of 42-65 had 54 million words to say . In contrast , women of the same age bracket had only 11 million words written for them .
I have been a physical performer since 1993 . I am aware of the question that ' s almost built-in to my profession : “ when are you going to retire ?" But it ' s so important to see women of all ages on the stage and screen . It shapes people ’ s perception of women . Our show doesn ’ t spell all of this out , but by seeing the story of Norvil & Josephine in a theatre magic show context , it will make an example of women ’ s voices being heard .
V - SO THIS ALL MUST RELATE TO JOSEPHINE BEING A SUFFRAGETTE ?
Desireé : It is extraordinary to think that women only got the right to vote in 1918 . And that was only for women over age 30 . Finally , in 1928 , all women over 21 were allowed . It is easy to think of it as a long time ago . But it seems to me that women ' s voices are something we have to actively protect . The suffragettes fought hard to impress the idea of equal rights for all .
One of our routines in RABBITS OUT OF THE HAT is Josephine being cut in half . This effect was invented in the early 20th century when women were getting more rights in society . Maybe it is stretching it , but I do wonder if that was part of the excitement of the illusion . In 1921 , the illusion ' s inventor PT Selbit invited the suffragette Christabel Pankhurst ( the daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst , the founder of the Woman ’ s Social and Political Union )
Photo by Chris Nash , MBE
28 JUNE | 2024