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SummerWorks 2012: France (Or, The Niqab)

A playful, thought-provoking take on modern-day women’s rights

By Lauren Gillett • August 13, 2012

Written by Sean Dixon
Directed by Tanja Jacobs
Produced by Aislinn Rose

Who is more oppressed, a Muslim woman in a niqab or Kim Kardashian? Both, according to Sean Dixon’s hilarious play France (Or, The Niqab), now playing at Theatre Passe Muraille as part of the 2012 SummerWorks Performance Festival.

Inspired by a Globe and Mail column by Tabatha Southey, France (Or, The Niqab) is set in Paris, where the controversial face-covering veil is banned, and women are fined for wearing it in public. The show follows Samira (Beatriz Yuste), who seeks help from a sassy, “liberated” defense laywer, Tabatha (Charlotte Cowdy), after her license is revoked by a stubborn French police officer (Salvatore Antonio). The two women are completely at odds until Tabatha agrees to wear the niqab for a day and discovers that she is treated like a second-class citizen. With the help of a mysterious man who pays the fines for women wearing the niqab in exchange for a photograph, Tabatha manages to escape, enlightened, and takes on Samira’s case with fresh determination. Why shouldn’t women be able to choose what they wear—the veil or high heels—without fear of judgement? At the end of the day, politicians/men have no place in our closets.

Dixon’s outrageously funny script culminates in an important message of unity, bringing women together instead of condemning them based on appearances. Overall, the performances are solid, although some of the transitions could use polishing, and a choppy dance sequence seems out of place, slowing the momentum of this otherwise well-paced production. That being said, France (Or, The Niqab) is a fun, timely piece and well worth checking out.

Catch it until Aug 19 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace. Visit SummerWorks.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

Show Dates:

Mon, 2012-08-13 - Sun, 2012-08-19

Our rating: