Pussy Riot: One Year On

PRESS RELEASE

PUSSY RIOT: ONE YEAR ON

The Royal Court Theatre today observes the passing of one year since Russia’s feminist punk band Pussy Riot was found guilty of hooliganism after being arrested for an impromptu anti-Putin protest in Moscow’s main cathedral.

On Friday 16 August at 5pm, a lone Pussy Rioter will stand on the Royal Court balcony overlooking Sloane Square in a gesture of solidarity with Pussy Riot for the right of artists to question the state.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were sentenced to two years in a penal colony. Yekaterina later had her sentence suspended and was freed in October, while Nadezhda and Maria’s application for parole was denied in July this year.

On 17 August 2012, the Royal Court joined an international day of protest, by staging a rehearsed reading of the courtroom testimonies of the three arrested members of the collective. In November that year, writers, artists and performers came together for an afternoon of anarchic artistic expression, inspired by Pussy Riot’s iconic protest, including new short plays by young British and Russian playwrights and a debate on feminism in the arts.

Playwright E.V Crowe initiated the small act of demonstration in support of the imprisoned women and has written a letter to Katya and Maria, which she will send to them. She said:

“I don’t think Pussy Riot should feel alone, because they’re not. They started something, and now it’s our job to stand behind them. People always wonder what the album of our generation is, ‘what came after “Wonderwall?’ they ask. Maybe it’s just a YouTube clip of Pussy Riot singing in a church.”

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court said:

“E.V. Crowe remembered that this week is the anniversary of the sentencing of the women in Pussy Riot. The Pussy Riot trial struck a chord with people all over the world – with anyone who believes in freedom of expression. It is vital that the global artistic community support those brave enough to speak out and stand in solidarity with them. The Royal Court, is a place for ideas, expression and question. Of course we must do this. This small gesture reminds us of those courageous women and women and their supporters everywhere standing up for their right to be free today.”

ends
(16/08/12)

For further information and images, please contact Anna Evans on 020 7565 5063 annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com

Notes to Editors:

E.V Crowe’s letter to Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova: http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/news/blog/one-year-on-an-open-letter-to-the-women-of-pussy-r/