community projects

Women of Wonder: Greek Myths & Monsters

Rough pencil sketches of women dancing, drawings of fruit (oranges, bananas, figs & a large pomegranate), inky paint moves through the different sketches. A venn diagram of Circe, Persephone and Pandora showing different animals associated with each.

Concertina Artwork by Maddy Jevon

Greek myths are epic tales of Gods and mortals, heroes and monsters.

But within these stories, women are often side-lined, manipulated or blamed for (literally) all the evil in the world.

It’s time to change the perspective...

‘Women of Wonder: Greek Myths & Monsters’ is an innovative, collaborative theatre project by Scratchworks, in partnership with an Exeter-based community of women originally supported and cultivated by CoLab Exeter. The project’s primary aim is to reframe the narrative of women in classic texts and stories, exploring whether a theatre-based collaboration can positively impact the lives and well-being of women in Exeter through creative expression and skills-building. The project includes a comprehensive plan involving 10 workshop sessions covering creative writing, movement and song.

The uniqueness of this project lies in its dedication to amplifying women’s voices, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology. Scratchworks, a female-led company, aims to positively impact Exeter’s women who have faced obstacles including domestic abuse, homelessness, displacement, and mental health difficulties. The project encourages participants to find their voice, share their stories and develop skills, aligning with Scratchworks’ decade-long commitment to amplifying women’s stories.

Project Leads + Workshop Facilitators: Scratchworks Theatre Company

Support Worker: Estelle Buckridge

Music Collaborator: Laura Loft

External Artists: Chloe Whipple (Do Your Dance), Emily Howard (Sound Design), Fi Russell (Set + Costume Design)

Evaluation: Emily Williams

Project Illustrator: Maddy Jevon