Calling a play “horrible” doesn’t sound like a great endorsement, but give me a moment.

Last night my friend Megan and i went to watch my other friend Megan [Furniss]’s new directed play Niqabi Ninja [written by Sara Shaarawi] and i was blown away. Not surprised at all, because Megan directed it and so i go in with the expectation that it’s going to be very good. But what i watched last night was brilliant.

Let’s get right to the “horrible” then – that would be the subject matter as Niqabi Ninja is focused on the sexual harassment that happens to the main character and some people around her. Asked directly afterwards if i enjoyed the show, that didn’t feel like the right question to “Yes!” even though i thought it was incredible and that EVERY MALE IN CAPE TOWN NEEDS TO SEE IT, because it is no enjoyable or fun – it is devastating. If i was alone watching it i think i would have spent at least half of the play crying, but i didn’t want to take any attention away from what was happening on stage and so i bit my lip and watched on.

The story is told by two amazing actresses, Bianca Flanders and Loren Loubser who are two parts of the same person. A woman  named Hana who lives in Cairo and is studying architecture at the university there and her alter ego superhero conscience who wears a Niqab and for most of the play is trying to figure out her appropriate superhero name as she plans to hit the streets and do ruthless justice to every man who has ever harassed her more shy and sensitive self. To avoid the risk of spoiling the ending of the play i will just say that it focuses on the changes and transformations that take place in both sides of her personality as the story unfolds.

The play is 45 minutes long and what i found remarkable is that their only props were a light back centre of stage, two chairs and the niqab itself and yet as an audience member you stay completely engaged and absorbed the whole way through because the story-telling is so compelling. A whole club scene is created through simply use of the lights and the two actresses creating a simple beat box beat. Powerful stuff.

As a man who is somewhat aware to some small extent of some of the kinds of harrassment that women go through, this play was still pretty informative which is why i really think all men should watch it, cos WE REALLY DON’T GET IT. i imagined a number of my guy friends watching that play and being able to separate it as a play from real life because surely that kind of thing doesn’t happen all that much, does it?

i remember when we lived in Philly for 18 months and worked maybe four blocks away from the house i would often walk with tbV [my wife, the beautiful Val] to our office and i never saw a thing. And yet, when she would walk by herself she would be harassed pretty much every time – cat calling and worse. Not seeing it, not experiencing it [ever] makes it a bit of a surreal thing to have to force yourself to believe exists. But it is real. It happens ridiculously and insanely all of the time. And we [as men] need to be aware of it and of our place in speaking up and stepping in. #NotOnOurWatch

i grabbed this line from the director, Megan’s, blog post on her play:

And men, most of you need to hear these stories, just to know, to have the invisible made visible. We are ready to tell you. [From Megan’s blog Megan’s Head]

i am so glad the initial three night run has been extended and so you can catch Niqabi Ninja on the first three nights of August as well at the Alexander Bar or simply click that link and make your booking. It is rough and edgy and hardcore and uncomfortable, but it is so important. Womenfolk, take your guys to see it. Perhaps it will prove a helpful conversation starter for you to be able to share some of the horrific stories of your encounters that you have kept to yourself all these years.

Please don’t miss out – this is an important play and message that needs to be seen and heard. Standing ovation stuff. Thank you Megan, Sara and especially Loren and Bianca!