Reclaiming the narrative

''As we huddled inside from the rain cuppas in hand and greetings exchanged with fellow creatives old and new, we settle down to begin the mammoth task of dissecting the world Webster has created. First we share images with the rest of group which we have individually selected that speak to us about a single moment in the play. I find I am most drawn to the trial scene and the rampant misogyny that runs throughout the play and how so often the narrative that is created around these women we learn through the men in the play. I am struck by some of the powerful images shared by others such as active volcanoes and mausoleums. Throughout the day we often return to the idea of what is constantly bubbling away underneath the surface and ask when are characters simply performing a role for the benefit of other characters? Is Isabella reclaiming the narrative of how her marriage ends for the benefit of her brother Francisco or to save face? During the course of the reading we constantly refer back to how modern audiences may respond to some of the themes in the play, the casual racism that is used towards Zanche, and the narrative created around her of a devilish creature not to be trusted. Our thoughts turn to who in fact is 'The White Devil' of Webster's title and is this meant in a literal sense or metaphorical? The jury is still out on that one!''

Sabrina Laurison