A new pro-feminism comedy play is coming to Liverpool next month - with Liverpool Hope University student RJ Lloyd at the helm as producer.
Upcoming show Sirens, Men and Crabs: A Shipwrecked Odyssey is a physical comedy described as a mash-up of various Greek tragedies.
Created by exciting theatre company Teatro Pomodoro, it bursts into the city’s Unity Theatre April 23rd to 25th.
And Pomodoro co-founder Carmen Arquelladas says that while the show will make you laugh, there’s also an important underlying message about gender power dynamics.
She explains: “We use the style of the Greek tragedy, and certain Greek myths, to comment on current issues, particularly feminism.
“And through comedy and satire, we wanted to put our unique, absurd twist on things.
“We want to talk about the role of women in society, and how they have been treated by their male counterparts.
“In the world we’ve created, we have these female creatures - the Sirens - who are luring men to their deaths. The power dynamic shifts dramatically.
“The Sirens are ‘evil’ creatures. But what are their motivations for acting that way? How has their mistreatment, and even rape, influenced their decisions?”
Carmen, who helped form Teatro Pomodoro in 2015, and which specialises in aspects of clown and bouffon, says the show won’t tell you what to think - but it will ‘provoke’.
She adds: “We are exposing certain issues - and it’s down to the audience to decide what they think. It’s provocation through comedy.”
Audiences should also expect plenty of interaction and participation, too.
Carmen, an actress and costume designer who’s appeared in TV show Cold Feet and also recently worked on the recent Wonder Woman movie, reveals: “The audience should be part of theatre, not just sitting and watching. We want them to feel part of the experience.”
Meanwhile producer RJ, a 28-year-old postgraduate student at Hope currently studying Performance, says Teatro Pomodoro - a company comprising members from Canada, Japan, Italy, South Africa, Spain and England - champions unity in post-Brexit Britain.
RJ, who’s been part of the company since 2019, explains: “Sirens is a really fun exploration of Greek tragedies, which we’ve updated for modern times.
“It’s the epitome of a complete farce - it’s ridiculous!
“And in terms of the themes we explore, the biggest thing for me is that, in this time of Brexit, Teatro Pomodoro is an art company which is extremely international.
“Through the use of farce, comedy and clown, our new show touches on questions of immigration, as it deconstructs these very conservative times we’re living in.”
The show also boasts some ‘flirty’ moments, too.
He adds: “There’s bubble machines, you get the chance to flirt with one of the sirens… and without giving too much away, the crabs might not be too happy about that!
“Audience members will also get given props, including scuba diving gear, as we really want guests to be immersed in the show.
“It’s very playful - and there’s a complete disregard for the so-called ‘fourth wall’.”
It’s not the first Teatro Pomodoro show Roger has been involved with, having previously worked on Cabaret From the Shadows, which recently wowed crowds at Hope’s Angel Field Festival.
Another thought-provoking Pomodoro production was Resurrection Half Price - which featured the Virgin Mary and Jesus flying on budget airline Ryanair.
Because of the nature of the issues covered, Sirens, Men and Crabs: A Shipwrecked Odyssey is a show designed for people aged 16 and over.
For Unity Theatre ticket details, go here.
Meanwhile Carmen says there are plans in place to tour Sirens, Men and Crabs: A Shipwrecked Odyssey across the UK, with further details to be announced.
Teatro Pomodoro also runs ‘Clown Jam’, a free meeting for clowns, improvisers and performers held every two weeks, where members meet to practice clown and bouffon techniques.
For details of that enterprise, head here.