Maids playing masters, maids playing murderers; men playing maids. This production of Jean Genet’s The Maids at once addresses gender roles head-on and never mentions gender at all.
God or Stripper? Little Mix, Ariana Grande, and Pop Music Subterfuge
Music videos are perhaps as important as the song itself. But is it possible for modern female musicians to make successful videos without pandering (even just a smidge) to the male gaze? And, even as women who love a Sexy Getting Ready Song, are we satisfied with the media we’re consuming?
10 Things to Help You Feel Better
Everyone has those days where everything feels rubbish. Getting out of bed is hard, getting out of your pyjamas is hard and so is just about everything else that could possibly be labelled as productive – from talking to other humans, right down to basic bodily hygiene (it’s gross, but we’ve all been there). To help on those grey days, Harpy has made a little list to get you through.
The End of a Friend: a Poem
As we muddle through adulthood, we uproot for new cities, new jobs and ambitions. Inevitably our relationships change, but while some fade out quietly, leaving others to flourish in their place, there are still those which leave an ache of absence.
Mum Shaming: why we’re all to blame for the global guilt trip phenomenon
I disapprove when I see a screeching child placated with a packet of chocolate buttons or when I see a mum stuff a smartphone into their bothersome kid’s hand. It’s clearly bad parenting. They should be ashamed of themselves. But here’s the thing…
Future Bodies: "Stop Being Normal"
The latest explosive collaboration from Unlimited theatre and, feminist favourites, RashDash, brings us into the realm of artistic sci-fi. A montage of two-person sketches explores the human relationship with the machine from a scattergun of different angles. Ultimately, Future Bodies becomes a question of the human relationship with our own corporeal being.
Chicago: The Female Lament behind the Vaudeville
There’s something alluring about the irreverent way female jazz performances reclaim feminine sexuality and play a part in the subversive culture of jazz and metropolitan life. Chicago is a musical that tells women’s stories predominantly through performances by female characters, so it should feel like an empowering romp from one of the raciest decades of American history.
'OthelloMacbeth': a bold attempt at realigning gender focus
OthelloMacbeth brings together two of Shakespeare’s great tragedies. Promising to bring ‘the voices of some of Shakespeare’s most iconic female characters [...] to the fore’, this combination of plays reeks of ambition.
Queen Margaret: Putting the SHE in Shakespearean Drama
The eponymous Queen is interestingly mute for the first few scenes of this feminist re-framing of history. We are firmly grounded in the patriarchal realm of Renaissance drama (indeed, all drama), ready to be sprung into a new orbit.
Championing Untold Stories: Three Feminist Productions breaking the silence at the Royal Exchange
The recent series at Manchester’s Royal Exchange theatre has taken on the important role of platforming the unheard. Real women are taking to the stage to sing some home truths and to celebrate the hard-won fight to have a voice.
Jonathan Van Ness Genders Things
Megan Piontkowski, one of Harpy's favourite illustrators, is here for something pretty specific about Jonathan...
No Place for Transphobia in the Gender Recognition Act Consultation
The UK government is looking to reform the Gender Recognition Act, with the aim of making it easier for trans people to change their legal gender. Some feminist groups have responded with protests and fears for women’s rights. Are their arguments valid, or a mere veil over their transphobia?
Freedom4Girls: Ending Period Poverty
Most of us have experienced that unease and paranoia; when a tampon falls out of our bag in public. Worst of all, most of us know how horrifying it is to realise that you have leaked. But, most of us probably don’t know what it’s like to not be able to afford basic menstrual protection.
Ella Woods: Wing Defence
Heading to Edinburgh this year? Check out Harpy’s new favourite comedian Ella Woods and her show Wing Defence: a comedy about sport by someone who hated it.
Find Your People at these 7 Inclusive Spaces in Leeds
It can be intimidating to feel like an outsider in a big city. Whatever your kinks and quirks, Leeds is teeming with open-minded, friendly people… you just need to know where to look. Check out this list of Leeds venues and collectives and you’ll soon find yourself spoilt for choice of things to do and people to see.
7 Immersive Novels for the Reluctant Reader
Do you suffer from book panic? There’s an ever-growing pile by my bed. There are hard-hitting novels, poignant memoirs and essay collections I’ll never get around to, all lovingly recommended by friends or featured on podcasts. The problem is, when I’m craving a book, I want a big dollop of fiction.
Bee Kind: How You Can Help Save Our Pollinators
Bees are dying out. We need to do something to curb it.
I’m sure this isn’t news to all of you – and amidst the other innumerable nightmares taking place across the globe, it can feel like just another sign we’re hurtling towards apocalypse.
Wish: A Voice for Women's Mental Health
Wish are a women’s mental health charity; the only national, user-led charity working with women with mental health needs in prison, hospital and the community. Charity director Joyce Kallevik chats to Harpy about their work.
#BOPO Hacks: 9 Ways to Dodge Bikini Body Bullshit
Summer has arrived with a sweaty sigh. Between the never-ending Love Island coverage and the trauma that is swimwear shopping (just buy it online!), it’s easy for our insecurities to bloom and fester. Everywhere we look there are tips for shrinking, tanning, polishing, and concealing.
Noura Hussein's Death Penalty is Revoked
In an incredible result for women’s rights activists all over the world, Noura Hussein, the Sudanese teenager who was due to be hanged for killing her rapist, has had her death sentence revoked.