
If we keep breaking the silence, eventually people will have to listen
The avalanche of disclosures about sexual abuse over the past few years means institutions like the BBC, Hollywood and the Church have come under fire for a culture of enabling and collusion, for turning a blind eye when they should have been shouting from the rooftops. But the first institution most of us know is the family, where there are no policies to review, no codes of conduct to draw up and no disciplinary procedures to follow.
My new play Elephant is inspired by my lived experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and the experiences of many survivors of CSA who I know. Set in the aspirational suburbs, it's the story of a modern British family and the unravelling of a secret. As a piece of art, it's heavily fictionalised. However, it's important to point out that it's rooted in the truth of what I've felt, what I've learned and observed.
I won't go on about the crushing horror that CSA is. You can imagine the abomination of grooming, the shock, the betrayal, the mess that's left in a child's head having been targeted by an adult. What we hear much less about is disclosure and the aftermath. Because for many survivors, once you tell those close to you what happened, their reaction is not what you'd expect. The same people who express disgust when they open the Metro and read about Jimmy Saville or Harvey Weinstein often react very differently when they learn about CSA in their own families. Survivors are faced with denial, fury for not staying quiet and many are ostracised because it's frankly easier to remove the problem than be reminded of it. Drowning in the silence can feel like being abused again.
I'm lucky to have a voice as a playwright. A way of being heard that many others don't have, moreover the theatre offers the artist a captive audience. I've always been interested in the theatrical space as an arena for provocation. A chance to jolt and activate, to encourage people to question and challenge what they think they know.
Secrecy is the currency of the abuser and shame is what we are all left with when a transgression occurs and nobody says anything. By breaking this silence, I hope Elephant is a piece of activism, a liberation that might help others to open up and for communities to acknowledge that their lack of engagement is a both a collusion and an emotional corrosion.
I have been involved with Solace Women's Aid over the past few years and I know firsthand that the work such organisations do can bring immense changes to women's lives. I am delighted that after its run at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Elephant will be touring community venues in and around the West Midlands and service users from local women's organisations will hopefully come and see the show.
While centred on a family, Elephant is also about a wider community. The tension between what people say they are and who they actually are. It explores a structure that is built on untruths where the characters' values are at odds with their belief systems. Under this kind of pressure, it's hard to bear what is unbearable, so people choose to accept what is unacceptable. I have tried to make sense of what is unfathomable and sought to have compassion, because it is my job as a dramatist to dig deep into heart and soul.
Although my play is written, I don't know how this story ends. But if we keep breaking the silence, eventually people will have to listen.
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
February 2018
More In
Creative Civic Change Brings Inner-City Communities Together In Partnership With Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Since lockdowns began to come into force in March 2020, both Birchfield and Welsh House Farm Big Local partnerships have remained steadfast in their delivery of Creative Civic...The REP’s Youth Theatre, The Young REP, Is Set To Participate In Company Three’s Nationwide Project
As the UK emerges from its third national lockdown, Company Three is launching a project that puts young people and youth theatres at the heart of a big conversation about the future, featuring...Birmingham Royal Ballet To Go Ahead With Live Streaming Adapted Version Of The Nutcracker At Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Following news of Birmingham's Tier 3 status last week, and ongoing uncertainty about what will be possible post 16 December, Birmingham Royal Ballet has taken the difficult decision to...Audiences Asked To Save A Seat This Christmas To Raise Funds For Birmingham Repertory Theatre And Birmingham Royal Ballet
This festive season, audiences are being asked to Save A Seat as part of a new fundraising campaign by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet. This December, the two...West Midlands' Black Artists & Organisational Leads Launch More Than A Moment - Action With And For Black Creatives
Today, a group of Black artists and leaders from arts organisations across the West Midlands, launch a pledge for action: More Than a Moment: Action with and for Black Creatives. It marks the...Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre Announce Adapted Version Of The Nutcracker
Following last week's sold-out performances of Lazuli Sky, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre are excited to announce a specially adapted production of the classic Christmas..."It's Not Just A Theatre Company - It's A Movement" - Lightpost Appoints New Artistic Leaders
Mathias Andre and CJ Webley, two previous members of Lightpost Theatre Company, have now successfully been employed in leadership roles. In 2015, Birmingham Repertory Theatre took part in an...The REP Launches REP RELOADED To Provide Pioneering Digital Engagement For Young People Across The West Midlands
Birmingham Repertory Theatre has built a trailblazing national reputation for its innovative engagement projects, including city-wide Youth Theatre groups and creative learning in schools across..."Shakespeare Has A Unique Way Of Connecting The Universal To The Individual" - Romeo & Juliet Rehearsal Blog
In fair Verona Birmingham, we continue to rehearse many scenes... Since joining us as part of Adult Drama Company and featuring in Scenes From A Brummie Iliad, Corinna Haycox talks to...#YourLifeMatters – Theatre Helps Young People Explore Harsh Realities of Youth Violence
Over the summer The REP and our Lightpost Theatre group have been working with First Class Legacy to deliver a summer programme for young people. The programme culminates next week with a performance..."Creating an emotional reaction in an audience, through your work, is fairly addictive" - In Conversation with Rachael Mainwaring
In advance of our REP Foundry Night on 14 June, we caught up with our brilliant 2019 Foundry Artists. Next up is Rachael Mainwaring... What made you first want to create..."Being able to perform a piece of original work at a place that means a lot to me is something very special" - In Conversation with Sam Cole
In advance of REP Foundry Nights on 7 & 14 June, we caught up with our brilliant 2019 Foundry Artists. Next up is Sam Cole... What made you first want to create theatre? I have always..."The most exciting thing about REP Foundry is that anything is possible" - In Conversation with Ashlee Elizabeth Lolo
In advance of REP Foundry Nights on 7 & 14 June, we caught up with our brilliant 2019 Foundry Artists. First up is Ashlee Elizabeth Lolo... What made you first want to create theatre?...“It’s a love letter to theatre” - Designer Robert Innes Hopkins Chats About The Set Of Edmond de Bergerac
Edmond de Bergerac is the triumphant hit comedy that has taken France by storm, and now as the play gets its first outing in the UK, we had a chat to Designer Robert Innes Hopkins about the show...Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, Announces Birmingham Repertory Theatre's Exciting 2019 Spring and Summer Season
Roxana Silbert has today announced plans for the theatre's Spring and Summer 2019 season. Speaking of the forthcoming programme, Roxana said: “Revolution is something Birmingham was...Lottery Boost Set To Strengthen The Mental Health, Wellbeing and Skills of Birmingham's Young African Caribbean Men
Young African Caribbean men across Birmingham will benefit from National Lottery funding totalling almost £750,000, thanks to a life-changing scheme initiated by Birmingham Repertory Theatre..."I have always been making theatre in some form or another": Meet REP Foundry Artist, Bethany Kapila
Meet our final REP Foundry artist, Bethany Kapila as she considers who inspires her and what drove her to want to create theatre. What made you first want to create theatre? I have always..."The stage is set, the performers are ready; the only thing needed is an audience" - The Making of Woyzeck
As the opening night of The REP's production of Woyzeck draws closer, the atmosphere backstage has become an electric combination of nervous anticipation and excitement. For one final time, before..."We've drunk lots of tea, eaten lots of samosas and shared lots of stories" - Furnace Artist Manjeet updates us on how her project is taking shape
In the latest in our series of blogs, we catch up with Manjeet Mann about her project with Ashiana Community Project, Run The World, and how the performance is taking shape. Today marked the end..."Expect a completely unique experience!" - Introducing our next Furnace Artist, Sarah Hamilton Baker
We'd like to introduce our next Furnace artist, Sarah Hamilton Baker, who is working with the community at Focus, a visual impairment charity in Birmingham. I first started working with The..."I’m hoping Run The World will chart empowerment, strength and solidarity" Furnace Artist Manjeet Mann tells us more about her project
We're continuing our series of blogs highlighting the work of our Furnace Artists, who are working in communities around Birmingham to create theatre with, for and about that community. Next..."I love the power that theatre has to tell stories" - The latest from Furnace Artist Jay Crutchley
Community is at the heart of what we do and we are especially proud of our Furnace community engagement programme, that sees theatre makers from The REP working in five different Furnace..."Fantastic. Caring. Enthusiastic." In Conversation With Defending MonologueSlam Champion, Ruby Richards
MonologueSlam, the industry showcase for actors, returns to The REP Friday 18 May for an action-packed evening of live entertainment. We caught up with returning and defending champion, Ruby..."It talks about things we don't talk about much" - Cathy Tyson tells us more about The String Quartet's Guide To Sex And Anxiety
Ahead of the opening night of The String Quartet's Guide To Sex And Anxiety, we caught up with Cathy Tyson to talk about the show. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the show?..."I feel passionately about the power of shared stories and experiences" - We catch up with Furnace Artist Rachael Mainwaring
Community is at the heart of what we do and we are especially proud of our Furnace community engagement programme, that sees theatre makers from The REP working in five different Furnace...“When someone sits and watches the performance, it is about what is happening to them in their head" Hofesh Shechter on Grand Finale
“Many times people want to know what I meant in a particular dance piece,” says Hofesh Shechter, “And I think it doesn't really matter. What matters is what happens on stage..."It’s a really exciting time to be in Birmingham and The REP is a big part of that": Meet REP Foundry Artist Will Jackson
What made you first want to create theatre? I was really lucky when I was little and my mum took me to see Cats in London. There was a bit when Old Deuteronomy (who's this really old, mangy...Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, Announces Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Exciting 2018 Autumn and Winter Season
Roxana Silbert has today announced plans for the theatre's 2018 Autumn and Winter season. Speaking of the forthcoming programme, Roxana said: “It is with enormous pleasure that we..."I first encountered the book whilst recovering in hospital having broken my foot dancing naked with some bananas"
Paul Hunter, Artistic Director of Told by an Idiot on the story behind their latest show, Napoleon Disrobed. Napoleon Disrobed is based on the novel The Death of Napoleon by Simon Leys. I first..."I’ve been surrounded by inspiring women throughout my life": Happy International Women's Day
In celebration of International Women's Day and the inspiring women who are integral to The REP, two of our 2018 Furnace artists, Rachael Mainwaring and Manjeet Mann share what it means to be a...‘Theatre is a real team effort – using skills to achieve a common goal. I relish that.’: Meet REP Foundry artist Michael Southan
Michael Southan on becoming a REP Foundry artist What made you first want to create theatre? When I think back to my school days of studying drama, it was theatre's ability to...'I realised the great power theatre can have to connect people': Meet REP Foundry artist Lorna Nickson Brown
Lorna Nickson Brown on becoming a REP Foundry artist What made you first want to create theatre? When I was a teenager, I performed in a play called The Laramie Project. It was a verbatim...“If you’re going to play Medea, then you really have to go for it” - Neil Bartlett on Medea: Written in Rage
This month a reimagining of the Greek myth, Medea: Written in Rage, comes to The REP. Neil Bartlett, translator and director, tells us more about the production. Tell us about the story of Medea...Disabled Access Day At Birmingham Repertory Theatre - A Blog By Billy Coughlin, Agent For Change
We caught up with our Agent For Change, Billy Coughlin, who chatted to us about Disabled Access Day and Ramps on the Moon. In a nutshell, I am responsible for working with all departments at The...