'It All Begins With Love'; the title suggests that in the beginning it is all just innocent.
The start of a relationship can be a blissful and beautiful time. At the core it is built from mutual love and respect for each other. But relationships change. They grow and develop. In some circumstances, they rot. They can even become abusive.
Domestic violence (DV) is a serious and frightening issue among families and relationships, and 'It All Begins With Love' brings this issue front and centre. A stage production four years in the making, this is a play that is not afraid to tackle this issue head on.
Creative Regions began working with the Domestic Violence Forum members in Bundaberg in 2011 to investigate how performing arts could be used as an intervention strategy around DV issues. Creative Producer Rod Ainsworth interviewed twelve people and which created the basis of half hour performance. It uses the direct experiences of survivors and perpetrators of DV through verbatim theatre and Rod hopes it can lift the lid on domestic violence in small towns.
“The resolutions for the characters reflect those of the interviewees. All women interviewed had managed to leave the relationship and most have a story of hope. The play, only 30-minutes in length, is designed to reflect the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Especially given that it is hoped the play will be used in education and counselling situations as a conversation starter. However, it was important to reflect the tinge of darkness that is ever present for victims of domestic violence,” he says.“It has been an eye-opening experience for everyone involved. We have had people come up to us after the play with incredible feedback. One woman approached me in the car park to tell me her personal story of domestic violence, while others have asked the typically wrong question 'why don’t the women leave?' and even children have outwardly questioned behaviour they have witnessed. Seeing how the play can start a conversation with people from all walks of life and ages is unbelievably valuable.”
The production stars five women of different ages and backgrounds, who are identified by a number rather than by name. Susan Prince, who plays 'One', has been involved in theatre for over 50 years and has a background as a domestic violence and rape crisis counsellor. She describes this production as “the most important show I have ever done.” Clearly passionate about this issue she explains that this subject needs to be talked about more.
“Domestic violence needs to come out from behind closed doors. If someone sees someone on the street getting beaten up, they do something about it. Why is this any different?”
The 5 main characters in the play represent the 12 real life survivors who were interviewed. Although concentrating on domestic violence with women, there are many victims in domestic violence, including: men, children and friends; all of whom are portrayed in the production.“We are not saying that it does not happen in relationships where men are the survivors. We are not saying that it does not happen in same sex relationships. We are saying that this story, this story that we are presenting, is between men and women with the women as the survivors,” Susan says.
Live theatre can at times be confronting and this topic is exactly that. It highlights a very real yet almost hidden problem in our society, and reveals it in a very open format on stage. “I think doing this as a play makes an impact because you come to theatre and the thing is, you have the energy between the audience and the people and they have to face it,” Susan says.
The confronting and brutally honest show is sure to leave audiences with a greater understanding of what actually goes on behind closed doors in some households.
It All Begins With Love Tour Dates
Thurs 22 October – Queensland Multicultural Centre (Brisbane)Mon 26 October – Shalom College (Bundaberg)
Tues 27 October – City Hall (Maryborough)
Thurs 29 October – Walter Reid Cultural Centre Auditorium (Rockhampton)
Fri 30 October – Town Hall (Yeppoon)
Mon Nov 2 – Town Hall (Emerald)
Wed Nov 4 – Civic Centre (Biloela)
Fri Nov 6 – Entertainment and Convention Centre (Mackay)
Wed 11 Nov – Capalaba Place (Brisbane & Redlands)
Thurs 12 Nov – Redland Performing Arts Centre (Brisbane & Redlands)
Fri 13 Nov – Empire Theatre (Toowoomba)
Wed 18 Nov – Centre of Contemporary Art JUTE (Cairns)
Thurs 19 Nov – Conservatorium (Innisfail)
Sat and Sun 21 & 22 Nov – School of Arts (Townsville)
Tues 24 Nov – Kingston Butter Factory (Logan)
Wed 25 Nov – James Nash State High School (Gympie)
Thurs 26 Nov – Studio 188 (Ipswich)
Fri 27 Nov – Old Ambulance Station (Nambour)
