Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh 5-13 March
Girl X has severe cerebral palsy. Although she’s eleven years old, she has the mental age of a five-month old baby and her condition can never change or improve. With the onset of adolescence rapidly approaching, Girl X’s mother is concerned that the hormonal changes will only distress her daughter.
To spare her this suffering, her mother has requested that surgeons perform a hysterectomy. Although a controversial choice, the doctors have agreed that the surgery will improve Girl X’s quality of life, and have sought legal advice in order to proceed.
Performed and co-written by disabled rights activist Robert Softley with the help of a Greek chorus, Girl X bravely asks when public questions become public concerns, if the majority is always right, and where such an issue ends.
Directed by Pol Heyvaert, the creator of the National Theatre of Scotland’s critically acclaimed Aalst, Girl X is a powerful new piece of theatre inspired by debates on internet forums. With a promise to elicit strong views and provoke passionate discussion, the creative team are inviting the audience to take part in two talks to respond to and discuss the ideas in the play, which will be held after the performance on Wednesday 9th March.
As part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s Reveal programme which allows the audience to pull back the curtain and see the inner workings of the creative process, Girl X is set to be one of the season’ most challenging and potentially value-altering productions.