Rites

A co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland and Manchester Contact Theatre, supported by the Scottish Refugee Council and Dignity Alert Research Forum

Rites is a powerful and provocative new production exploring the deep-rooted cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation. This ritual of enforced cutting has been performed for centuries and millions of girls worldwide, often as young as five years old, are still subjected to it. The reasons are complicated and myriad. It depends who you are, and it depends what you've been taught. Some things are simple though: FGM is still happening across the world. FGM is happening in the UK, here and now.

Rites is based on recent interviews and true stories from girls affected in Scotland and the rest of the UK, mothers who feel under pressure to continue the practice, and the experiences of midwives, lawyers, police officers, teachers and health workers trying to effect change in communities. The show weaves different perspectives into a powerful drama which explores the pressures, complexities and misconceptions existing within this deeply entrenched cultural initiation.

Age guidance: 14 and over.