IN Her Shoes is an "immersive audio installation experience", coming to the Beecroft Gallery in Southend as part of celebration of International Women's Day.
It is the brainchild of Michelle Barrington and Eleanore McCann of Blown Fuse Theatre, who, working alongside producer, Roxanne Carney and associate artist Alison Garner, are bringing the installation to the Beecroft in Victoria Avenue, on Saturday March 5.
It comes as part of a wider tour which will visit six towns across Essex until July.
Michelle explained: "In Her Shoes explores the concepts of identity, stereotypes, and relationship to home via a 20 minute adventure beginning when you are given a pair of headphones and you step inside a shoe shop built for one.
"With former Bata Shoes employee Joan as your guide, you're transported through time and along the way, you’ll meet real women from Essex, past and present.
"As if by magic, the shoeboxes will transport you to the Bata Shoe Factory and Estate, the Marconi Factory, Kynochtown, and the Thames Explosive Works. You’ll visit Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and Southend Seafront in an intimate adventure that asks you: what is an Essex Girl? Will you take a walk In Her Shoes?"
In Her Shoes has been made possible through Arts Council of England funding, National Heritage Fund and support from Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch.
Eleanore added: "As Essex women, we were outraged and tired of being linked to the well known Essex girl stereotype. We wanted to create something that celebrated the diversity of the women here in Essex and show that the presumptions of Essex women known all over the world are inaccurate.
"We researched and worked with groups of Essex women, including the South Essex African Caribbean Society, to find and hear real life stories which then contributed to the making of In Her Shoes.
"Continuing the narrative of the piece, we wanted to work with Essex based creatives to bring the installation to life. We worked with immersive soundscape company At Swefn’s Edge to design the beautiful audio you hear, and set designers By Design to create the shop and interactive shoe boxes you discover inside it."
The installation is free to experience.
To book your ticket, visit blownfusetheatre.co.uk
Do you have an interesting story about an Essex woman, past or present, who has been some kind of pioneer?
To help celebrate International Women's Day, we'd love to hear your stories about local women, past or present, who may have flew the flag for females. Maybe she was the first person to start a women's football group at her school? Perhaps she was someone who pushed in some way, for women's rights, health, or equality? Maybe that woman is you, or a friend, a relative or someone else you know about. Perhaps she is an employee or work colleague. Whether huge achievements or small and local which still made all the difference, we would love to hear your stories.
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