Content warning: this review contains discussion of abortion.
★★★★✰
To breed or not to breed? That is the question most women face at some point in their lives. In the wake of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the United States, conversations surrounding reproductive health, women’s bodily autonomy, and the pervasive stigma against abortion have been brought to the forefront of mainstream media.
Joyful Raven’s new one-woman show Breed or Bust encapsulates these dilemmas in an intimate and unabashed exploration of female identity. Through a mix of stand-up and dark humour, we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as she navigates the difficulties of unexpected pregnancies, turbulent relationships, and a battle against the traditional societal expectations of womanhood.
Raven exudes an immediate warmth that captivates the audience, punctuated by solid comedic execution and a down-to-earth charm and sensitivity. As she guides us through her story, she makes us feel completely at ease as if we were listening to a close friend. That strong feeling of close rapport is reinforced when she breaks the fourth wall constantly with regular interjections about how her jokes landed with a British audience compared to in America. While these moments initially provided a few chuckles, it gradually begins to feel tedious and at times distracts from the rest of the play.
Her storytelling style alternates from being quirky and heart-warming to shockingly visceral and distressing, showcasing Raven’s skilled physicality and sharp writing skills. This is adeptly showcased during her melodramatic re-enactment of a scene in Spring Awakening in which the mother lies about the nature of conception, claiming a woman must love her husband “with all her heart” in order to conceive. Her dynamic facial expressions and line delivery elicit steady laughter from the audience. However, this scene takes on a more profound importance later on when she discusses her relationship difficulties. By incorporating harsh irony, Raven inserts a sobering reminder of the painful struggles mothers can face while simultaneously mocking the lack of adequate sexual education services.
Raven navigates the play’s delicate subject matter confidently, balancing visceral humour with emotional acuity. She explains her inner turmoil before, during, and after the termination and the external influences which shaped her experience. Her second abortion is depicted in graphic and disturbing detail, while others were evoked by the simple ingestion of a pill, giving us a raw insight into the unspoken reality of abortion procedures. Through her brutally honest storytelling, Raven breaks down the pervasive taboo while creating a sincere and evocative account of womanhood, and her own unique journey with motherhood.
The play ends with a poignant message that deconstructs the concept of adulthood into something unique and empowering. While she did not go through with the pregnancies, she has still experienced motherhood in the sense that she has given birth to a new version of herself molded by a complex range of personal and social influences.
Breed or Bust is a riveting personal story that is both funny, shocking and insightful, offering a sensitive and innovative exploration of a woman’s journey through womanhood while confronting the pressures and taboos surrounding female reproductive choices.
Breed or Bust will be performed at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Coorie on 17-27 August at 2:20pm as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Katie Heyes
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