Our Queen Snapper of the Scene Keira Anee was so blown away by Pussy Riot's show in London last week, we collected together the loose change down the back of the sofa at LOUD WOMEN HQ and she jumped on a train to Nottingham on Thursday to see them again! Here's our roving snapper's report and incredible photo gallery ...
Words and photos by Keira Anee
I saw – and followed – the news in 2012. But I was naive, and didn’t look any further than what I read. I did not know the full story.
Pussy Riot, as it is today, are performing Riot Days. Riot Days is a gig, performance show, art, theatre. It is based on the book Maria Alyokhina wrote about her experience of being arrested, and locked up for two years alongside (although never to see) Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (Nadya). For the ‘Punk Prayer’ Pussy Riot performed in Moscow, February 2012.
It’s Thursday, I’m on my way to Nottingham to see Pussy Riot for a second time this week.
Maria Alyokhina
Maria (Masha) the activist and artist, is still performing as part of Pussy Riot here today. Alongside …
Diana Burkot
Diana is playing the drums and keys. I mentioned in my previous review, Diana has a broken ankle and is walking on crutches. Not that this lessens the frustration, determination and energy of her performance! “My Hell My Rules” – abso-fuckin-lutely.
Olga Borisova
Olga is described by Alexander Cheparukhin tonight as an ex policewoman, who left to fight against the force; the regime. Olga is also mentioned in Riot Days, as editor of the Russian Version.
It is the Russian version being played here tonight, but this time with working English subtitles.
Taso Pletner
If you’ve seen my photos and writing from the show in London on Sunday, you’ll remember Taso. Fondly, for pissing on Putin while looking you dead in the eyes. For the one over the knee boot and again what looks like a bullet proof vest, with rainbow stickers on. For playing the (I was right!) flute. Taso is described by Riot Days as a performer, singer and musician.
The flute was a childhood instrument I‘m told, picked up and learned again for this show!
The show tonight is 4 people, but once more: “Anyone Can Be Pussy Riot”.
Before this show, I have educated myself better. I previously had expected to go to see Pussy Riot, and see a band performing punk songs.
Which to be absolutely fair, was exactly what happened! But a lot more. Make no mistake that for everything I did not understand last time without the subtitles, and filled in with the emotion and fury given out by the performers; there is a lot more context and emotion this time.
Now it is early Saturday morning, and I did not start writing this until I finished reading Riot Days. I wanted to understand everything. I fiercely recommend you read this book!
I know what I’m getting my Nanny Joyce for Christmas this year.
The show depicts the struggle. The strength it takes. The struggle and intention firstly, of the organising and forming the Punk Prayer that got Masha and Nadya arrested. The struggle of escaping, hiding, fear, confusion. Doing interviews in balaclavas via cafe bathrooms wifi: the only chance you get to be listened to and to explain your actions and intentions. The struggle of leaving your family.
The struggle of being told your intentions were, in fact, not what you say. They were to blaspheme and cause “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”.
The struggle then, of being caught and unjustly held before trial. Questioned without lawyers.
The struggle of being jailed for two years under inhumane conditions; put into solitary for speaking up against them. Others, being forced into solitary confinement for speaking to you: ‘a political’.
The struggle of still fighting whilst surviving on bread, as the system does not accommodate vegetarians.
The struggle of fighting this injustice on the inside; hunger strikes, freezing. And against all odds: winning.
Yes; having to win the right you already should have, to not freeze to death whilst confined in prison. To not be punished for sleeping in the day. To be paid a fair wage for the hard work you are forced to carry out.
This struggle that Masha pushed through. The performance is determined. It is strong. The frustration is visible, the rebellion, the fury.
The struggle, and the result.
At the end of the performance, a t-shirt is thrown on stage. Masha and Olga pick it up. “FAIR PAY FOR NURSING. SAFE STAFFING SAVES LIVES”
This resonates. Of course it does. I fully support the strikes and have seen many times personally, how hard and long nursing staff are working. But again, fighting for what should be a human right – to be paid fair. To not freeze to death. To not be punished for being less able. Seeing Pussy Riot: you have the power. You can change things.
We’ve seen how Putin works. We’ve seen how quickly politicians’ lies can turn a country – Masha mentions afterwards, ‘Look at Trump’.
-We are all Pussy Riot.
LOUD WOMEN 