Viva Brighton Issue #85 March 2020

THEATRE
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Rebel Boob
Life after cancer
Being diagnosed with, and treated for, cancer is
devastating – but putting your life back together
can be no picnic either.
Research carried out by Breast Cancer Care
and mental health charity Mind found that
one in three women experience anxiety for the
first time in their lives after their diagnosis and
treatment, and almost half feel continuous fear
that the cancer may return, which can severely
impact day-to-day life.
Worryingly, a 2018 survey of nearly 3,000 women
with breast cancer in England also revealed
eight out of ten women are not told about the
possibility of developing long-term anxiety and
depression by healthcare professionals.
Picking up the pieces following her own mastectomy
has inspired Hove resident Angela El-
Zeind to create a play about women’s experiences
of life after breast cancer: the result is Rebel
Boob, which will be shown at The Old Market
as part of the Reigning Women programme this
month, and again during Brighton Fringe.
Angela, who heads up Speak Up! Act Out!, a
community interest theatre company, has woven
the testimonies of a number of local women to
create a play that uses digital technology along
with heart-rending monologues and movement
to take the audience on their own journey.
She wants to shine a light on the period when
treatment stops and you have to learn how to
move on and live your life again.
“We are still in the dark about cancer. It is still
a taboo subject and we aren’t talking enough
about the numbers of women – and men – who
survive and go on to live rich, fulfilling lives,”
explains Angela.
“This play is not about chemotherapy and
it’s not about death, even though we may talk
about it a bit. It’s about life, and it is about reevaluating
who you are and what is important.
“It is a raw, funny, honest and beautiful insight
into the magic which can happen when your life
as you know it stops. This piece is all about the
strength of women, and what our bodies and
minds are capable of.”
As part of the preparations for Rebel Boob, Angela
recently ran a retreat-style weekend – with yoga
sessions, theatre workshops and more – to thank
the women who are taking part. It’s something
she’d like to do more of. “We hope to incorporate
this into a future outreach programme
and offer sessions for women affected by breast
cancer throughout the South East.
“Our first performance at The Old Market is
going to be a research and development piece
so there’s the chance for the audience to ask
questions and give feedback at the end to help
us shape the performance to reflect what people
feel. We also have a residency at Brighton Girls’
independent school which we are using to share a
message of resilience and empowering women, to
show that nothing can hold us back.”
Ellie Evans
The Old Market, 13th March, 7.30pm
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