By Daniel Nelson

The news that UK Border Force officers are warning of a new trend of "cutters" flying into Britain to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) is both alarming and welcome. And it gives added importance to a reading of four plays about FGM currently doing the rounds of London libraries.

Little Stitches has been staged at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney and at the Gate Theatre in west London and there have been readings at five libraries, with two more coming up. Hopefully, more will follow.

As a night out, the four plays are heavy fare. But there’s no doubt that they are playing a part in raising awareness of the practice and hopefully helping eliminate it.

They adopt different approaches. Sleight of Hand focuses on the ordinariness of small everyday events that gradually build up a picture of something going wrong. Where Do I Start? features real-life testimonies of an activist, a charity campaigner, a midwife and, most powerfully, a survivor.Dancing Feet imagines two “cutters” who are celebrating another job done with a growing sense of unease. Mutant is a about a 14-year-old who returns home to find herself powerless against a group of adults.

The pieces are presented by the BAREtruth Theatre Company, which describes itself as a group that creates work that focuses on “the subjects that people often don’t want to face.

“Using theatre as a way of contributing to social change, we strive to offer audiences a fresh perspective; shining a light into dark corners and stimulating debate.”

Melissa Dean, artistic director of BAREtruth, has said that FGM should not just be debated by politicians.

“There is only so many times FGM can be talked about,” she says. “I have attended certain talks, but they only reach so many people. Stage is a good way for people to open up to the issue. Many teachers do not know how to talk about FGM with their pupils, but people can talk about the plays and how they make them feel.”

One estimate is that 137,000 women in Britain (out of over 140 million women and girls worldwide) are living with the consequences of FGM and more than 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk each year. There have been only two prosecutions.

Readings:

6 October, Ealing Road Library, Coronet Parade, Ealing Rd, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4BA, 4pm

7 October, Streatham Library Tate Library, 63 Streatham High Rd, London SW16 1PN

 

Director Alex Crampton talks about Little Stitches

Playwrights explore trauma and psychological damage of FGM

Guest Blog: 'Most people turn away at the mention of FGM'

FGM can be eradicated through theatre performances

BAREtruth Theatre

The Health Advocacy Project at the Manor Gardens, where Leyla Hussein runs the Dahlia Project, the only counselling service for FGM survivors in the UK

 

Dexter Dias QC, chair and co-writer of the Bar Human Rights Committee report to the parliamentary Inquiry into FGM 

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