Читать книгу Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - Rebecca Crookshank - Страница 5

A note from the writer

When I began writing what was to become Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, I never imagined the response my story would provoke. The process of putting it all together was tougher than any assault course I have faced, but the breakthroughs far outweighed the slow combat crawls across the page and onto the stage. Facilitated by my fantastic Director/Dramaturg Jessica Beck, I would speak a lot, write too much, laugh a bit, break out into a rage, feel terror and then write some more, this I realize was necessary. The first scratch sharing in February 2015 evoked genuine terror, I was petrified and I hadn’t even included the darker material about what had happened to me on Mount Alice. Once audiences began to engage with my work, offer feedback and search for more truth, I started to unravel, move closer to the core of the story and it felt right to talk about it. Talk about it all.

In January 2016 I was invited by the Channel 4 News team to talk about my experiences of bullying and sexual harassment in the armed forces. This was a great opportunity to speak out to a wider audience especially those who had been affected and share some of the video archives I had included in the show.

With over 4.5 million views online in one week, and thousands more engaging with the show, my story has provoked urgent discussions and encouraged others who have been affected by bullying and sexual harassment in institutions to speak out. Supported by Arts Council England throughout the whole development, I have been able to rediscover my story and the truth of what it is I want to say. I never visualized the power of this truth, my determination for zero tolerance and courage to creatively speak out. I wanted to create a solo show about a female experience, I thought I had a fairly interesting one, the momentum gathered, Edinburgh audiences told me their own stories and the show got other people talking. I am so grateful to the arts; the power of creativity shines into the face of adversity and for me holds more weight than an official complaint.

From the list of acknowledgements you can see that there are so many people who make a production like this possible. Thank you again to everyone and anyone I have missed. My work with young people is integral to this piece and I am privileged to learn from future voices, all of you contribute and expand the creative vision. Wingwoman, Nina, you’re an inspiration to us all and our treasured friendship inspired this piece of art, I bet you didn’t think that would happen when we met at the NAAFI. Jessica, thank you, I believe you now, it IS all about the process and I continue to be taken by surprise.

My dear precious family across the miles; Mum, you were right ‘Something more creative’ you’re a dynamo and your majestic energy fuels my flight. Martin and Tracie, I salute you both for so many things but ultimately making my Mum and Dad so happy. Granddad Eric and my late Grandma Eileen, thank you for continually asking me ‘are you winning,’ I’ll keep on trying! Dad, you really are top notch, I’m inspired by your determination and your story. Michelle and little brother Tom, thank you for creating the ultimate first penguin Henry Crookshank, my darling nephew who was born right in the middle of the Edinburgh run. Thank you all for your support, you’ve believed in my vision and tried to make it less painful to share and speak of things that hurt.

There are two other people of whom I owe so much; Firstly my late and treasured Nanny, Patti Wicks, she introduced me to the power of the arts, encouraged me to write, shared her wit, and tendency to fantasize.

And finally, my husband Oliver Mohsen-Taheri, you are a wonder, you listen, you feel the weight like I do, together we can jump, be ‘graceful, aerodynamic, exquisite’.

Thank you.

Rebecca Crookshank

2016