Liverpool 2018

On Tuesday 20th March 2018, B!RTH held an evening of performance and debate at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine for students and staff.

Performances of ‘Orchid’ by Mῦmbi Kaigwa (Kenya) and ‘Q&Q’ by Liwaa Yazji (Syria) were interspersed with provocative discussion from LSTM’s students, including those studying the Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low Resource Areas, and the famous Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. An ‘academic front row’ of LSTM staff provided expert insight into the issues raised. The evening was co-facilitated by B!RTH’s Creative Director, Emma Callander, and Dr Mary McCauley from LSTM’s Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health.

Audience members were encouraged to answer the question ‘What challenge would YOU make to those in a position to make a change’, both in the room and via twitter. The emotional force of the plays struck a chord with the audience; when asked for a single word response to ‘Q&Q’, answers included ‘guilty’, ‘overwhelmed’, ‘sick’, ‘privileged’, ‘hurt’, and ‘angry’. You can catch up on more thoughts from the evening on the B!RTH twitter feed.

All of the B!RTH plays are available to download free for use in educational organisations around the world; if you’re inspired to use the plays with your own students, get in touch for more information and support.