Blood Glorious Blood was not just your normal one woman show. It was an experience that was part history, part self discovery and part comedy, brought to us by the wonderful Annabelszki. This was focusing in particular on menstruation, how it was viewed over time by both sexes and also what society and mainstream film was doing to make sure this sometimes taboo subject was accepted more, as well as seen in a more positive light.
It was an experience that was part history, part self discovery and part comedy
Annabelszki's comedy skills have come on a long way since her past shows. This time, we saw a performer who had not only tightened her material, but also had really given Blood, Glorious Blood a lot of thought with the research involved. She not only was cheeky, teasing us by gradually taking off several layers of underwear as different eras of history were revealed, but also using her daring comic interaction with the audience as she showed us what was in the underwear!
As the show progressed with various topics based on real events in her own life, different cultures, social media and more, it became interesting and engaging to watch without a dull moment. It felt like were were watching a reduced version of Eve Essler's The Vagina Monologues, but updated with more information on how, for instance, social media has been part of the movement to encourage the acceptance of menstruation without any stigma attached to it. Part of that movement gave highlight to a sportswoman who took part in a marathon with no period protection to raise awareness of those who do not have access to sanitary products. It showed that she and many others were brave enough to speak about something that was natural to women, but in many cases as indicated by how the media and popular films like Mean Girls for instance, periods developed more of a stigma. This show was Annabelszki's way of breaking the stigma and encouraging us to talk about them positively, which she succeeded with her openness, honesty about her own journey, real stories from other women and more.
The main highlight though was her own variation on the Adrian Mole series of books - a social media star called Adrianna Mole. This character not only was funny to watch through her rollerskating antics and sometimes crass approach to periods, but it helped us view menstruation in a more engaging and light-hearted way, rather than focusing too seriously on them.
Blood Glorious Blood was a show that was empowering to experience on both a humourous and serious level. Definitely not to be missed.
