More than 80 female and non-binary writers have united to create 'All the Rage,' a guerrilla theatre piece that aims to shift the focus of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal from the perpetrators to the victims. The play, which premieres in London, fuses art and activism to address the systemic abuse of women.
Origins of the Play
The project began when playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz, known for writing the screenplay for 'She Said' about Harvey Weinstein, posted a call in a WhatsApp group. 'Is anyone else enraged about the Epstein files and how it’s all about the men and the money?' she asked. Forty-five writers responded, and the idea quickly escalated from a simple reading to a full-scale production.
Structure and Format
'All the Rage' unfolds across 15 spaces in a repurposed office block in the City of London. The first half invites audiences to wander through rooms filled with text, images, and installations, where they can write their own responses. The second half gathers everyone for a 50-minute theatre piece performed by nine actors, all but one female. The show includes contributions from over 80 writers, with scenes limited to five minutes, though longer works can be displayed on walls.
Director Lucy Morrison describes it as 'guerrilla theatre, where art meets activism.' The production is a rapid-response piece, including Lucy Kirkwood's 'Maryland,' a play written in 2021 after the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, to emphasize that Epstein's crimes are part of a broader pattern of violence against women.
Voices of the Writers
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, whose play 'Behzti' was cancelled after protests in 2005, contributes a scene inspired by the Indian film 'Pakeezah,' exploring the glamorization of sex work and control of women. Timberlake Wertenbaker, author of 'Our Country’s Good,' frames her contribution as a question, emphasizing the importance of questioning in theatre and society. She notes that feminist gains from the 1970s and 1980s are being erased, and points to the war in Gaza and Trump's presidency as setbacks.
Impact and Goals
The play aims to transform rage into something beautiful and profound, rather than simply shouting. Lenkiewicz says, 'It’s about gathering the rage and transforming it into something not exactly palatable, but rather beautiful and profound.' The writers hope to shift the shame associated with victimhood and create a collective response to systemic abuse.
'All the Rage' runs at Theatre Deli in London from 11-13 June. The project demonstrates how theatre can serve as a platform for activism, giving voice to those often silenced in mainstream narratives.
