By the time she was 15, Jennifer Jackson was the under-50kg British judo champion. Why Jenni originally signed up for judo classes, and why there is a need for women to reasonably defend themselves, as well as the wider issue of oppression in society - is the subject of the Manchester-based artist, choreographer and former champion judo exponent's Wrestleladswrestle, which premieres at HOME Manchester from October 3-12 (and will be on UK tour next year).
Confronting and dissecting a childhood racist incident she saw her mother experience, Jenni is joined on stage by a girl gang from around Manchester, none of them professional actors. but trained in play-fighting during rehearsals to capture the thrill of action and motion. The piece offers the theatricality of pro-wrestling, a live video feed, embedded creative captions and physical boldness, and considers who is entitled to play with violence, and what it means to be empowered in an unequal society.
She said: "I'm working with an incredible ensemble drawn from the community, and an exciting creative team, to offer an exhilarating night of entertainment."
The setting is an an underground gym, electrified by the live drumming of Isobel Odelola. Creative captioning is by Sarah Readman, putting accessibility front and centre and integrating it into the creative process.
More info and tickets here