POV: UN (Boxin)

POV: UN(boxin’) is a brand new collaboration between Women’s Community Matters, Barrowfull and All Things Considered Theatre. The performance explores, and supports, children to begin to talk about how to avoid negative labels and societal pressures so we can make the world a better place for men and women. Its core aim is to prevent violence against women. Aimed at Year Six children this piece confronts the language of misogyny and attitudes that perpetuate negative stereotypes of men and women head on. 

This is the story of a boy and a girl. They live in a world of boxes. Loads of them. It’s a thing. But after loosing a competition the boy begins to become convinced that the girl is the problem. After all she is a…well…a girl. The boy begins to fall further and further in to a world of darkness that also feels strangely comforting. Can she save him or maybe he can save himself? And does he even want to be saved?

UN(boxin) is a gaming fairytale for kids told by three actors, a guitar, lots of cardboard boxes and a gnome called Darren.

POV: UN (Boxin’) toured in Autumn 2023 to schools and venues across South Cumbria. An Education Pack was also provided to support the classroom discussions.

written by: Stuart Crowther and emma bramley

Directed: emma bramley

composition: tash dowd

Assistant director: amber buttery

Headteacher: “The show was great.  The children really enjoyed it and it provoked some important conversations. “

Cumbria Police:  “The kids that see this now could present this back to their parents (the attitude/lesson learned). Also, the contents (knowledge) of the teacher’s pack could be passed on to their parents. The use of context in the show is so much better than simply saying “don’t do this”. 

W&F Council: “I found it quite emotional toward the end, and I don’t get emotional very often. We need to remember that its about long term cultural change and I felt that that really came through (in the show). This show talks about aspirations in behaviour and how to change culture, and is more interesting that making kids watch a power point. 

Police Woman:  “Making the focus of the story a friendship rather than a relationship is great because it is relatable to the kids and can be practiced by them in their own lives. “

Headteacher: “POV: Un-Boxin was excellent, the children thoroughly enjoyed the session, and it got across the messages and themes very effectively – lots of discussion points for the future. “

Children:

Men and women are all equal and don’t have to be forced to do things they don’t want to do. 

They can be who they want to be.  

You can’t stop someone doing something because they are that person.  

It doesn’t matter what height or how small/tall you are, everyone’s different in their unique way. 

Boys and girls are equal.  

You don’t have to listen to one specific person you have to listen to your heart.  

Boys aren’t better than girls and girls aren’t better than boys.  

Be smart online. 

People shouldn’t be divided by their gender.  

You don’t have to listen to your friends you can be who you want to be.  

Never give up on anything if someone says you are rubbish at it.  

Boys are allowed to cry, be nervous.  

Don’t hide your emotions.  

Girls can be smart and strong.  

They can do anything! 

“Master of the Manosphere: She’s making fun of you. They’re all looking at you. Aren’t you? Mate, she’s made a show of you. Embarrassed you in front of people. Stepped out of line.

Dollar: I don’t…

Master of the Manosphere: It’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong. It’s her. It’s always them, isn’t it? She cheated, didn’t she? She didn’t play by the rules. 

Dollar: What rules?

MM: There’s a contract, isn’t there? When you’re born…

Dollar: When you’re born, they take you to this tent, right. In our world. Which is mostly like yours. Except there’s more boxes. It’s a thing. Anyway, they take you to a tent, like I said. And there’s this person there called Seldom Seen who tells you things. Tells your parents what you’re going to be, what’s going to happen in your life.  Bit like this…”