Powerful performance on women’s rights incites audience to rebellion

We Incite This Meeting is a powerful performance that invites the audience to discuss women’s rights and question: “What remains to be done, and how are we going to do it?” 

By Samar Jamal | photos by Karen Gordon

We Incite This Meeting is a performance inspired by British political activist Emmeline Pankhurst’s powerful declaration, “I incite this meeting to rebellion!”. The night of storytelling took the audience on a journey of equality and activism.

The secret suffragette tea parties of the 18th century were reanimated by director, Kirstin McLean. During the performance, which took place at Kinning Park Complex, women drank tea together and pondered their fate. From across the stage, the viewers were invited to consider what their role is in advocating for women’s equality.

Syeda Sadaf Zaidi, part of Greater Govanhill’s photography group was one of ten women who took part in the performance. Syeda played the mum of a teenage girl, in an abusive relationship and considered how she would support her through the challenging circumstances. The role was Syeda’s first but when she was asked to take part she was eager to step up to the part:

“I never knew I could do this because English isn’t my first language but I’ve lived in Glasgow for six years and I wanted to be part of this because it shows the experience of many women. Drama is a good way to convey the message of violence and equality and I think it also touches on experiences I've witnessed – coming from Pakistan. 

The performance, captured by photographer Karen Gordon, highlights the importance of community building in women’s movements and how ordinary acts of fellowship are transformed through activism and desire for change.  

Linda Duncan McLaughlin, another participant in the performance, said: 

“We Incite This Meeting is set in the quietly subversive arena of the tea room, the show is a joyous, vibrant (and at times righteously angry) exploration of women finding their voices and supporting each other, from the Suffragettes’ movement right through to contemporary Women’s Rights issues. It was a reminder of just how powerful women can be when they come together, and it was an absolute joy to work with the formidable group of women who made it. And given the number of cafes in Govanhill, we're willing to bet that the tea-rooms of Govanhill have birthed a fair number of women's revolutions over the years – and will no doubt continue to do so.”