Just Imagine
A new project by the Yellow Box theatre.
Challenging commonly held beliefs about violence against women and girls in Britain today, through theatre, advocacy & community action.
Think | Create | Change
Think
As part of our advocacy work, we are producing a docuseries called THINK.
This series of documentaries are looking at the culture around sexual violence, women and girls; in our communities, here in South London, in the arts and in faith contexts.
We explore the distinction of experiences of survivors across communities, open new conversations about what change could look like and challenge our audience to reflect on our societal and cultural responses to sexual violence.
Stay connected, we will be releasing 3 episodes of this docuseries!
Design by Ruth Muko.
Watch the trailer.
People don’t want to believe.
People don't want to believe is the first episode of the THINK docuseries, it was first screened at The West Norwood Picture house in 2022.
The film looks at the culture around sexual violence, women and girls in South London. It explores the distinction of experiences of survivors across communities and opens new conversations about change.
What people have said…
“An incredibly powerful documentary, which sparks important, overdue conversations. It’s honest and doesn’t sugar-coat or censor the experiences and issues women, girls and men face. Though it’s set in Lambeth, the topics and themes explored are applicable all over the UK.”
“Poignant, interesting, cleverly shot and edited [...] the perfect starting point for helpful and healing conversations.”
“A powerful film about the prevalence of sexual violence, its impact and the barriers faced by victims and survivors”
Just Imagine
Create
At The Yellow Box Theatre, our creative process is collaborative, reflective, and connected to the communities we are part of and serve.
Mi Gyals is a result of this process — a new play exploring gender-based violence, culture, and solidarity.
Mi Gyals tells the story of young women coming of age in Brixton in the early 2000s, as they navigate the realities of gender-based violence through different cultural and institutional responses.
The play connects different worlds and stirs communities into reflection, around the shared yet distinct experience of violence against women and girls. At its heart, Mi Gyals is a tribute to the strength of sisterhood, the bonds between mothers and daughters, and the power of women standing together in the face of violence. It’s a call for social responsibility and community activism, yet it also holds space for moments of joy, solidarity and community.
In March 2024, we produced a fully sold-out rehearsed reading at The Club for Acts and Actors, Covent Garden.
What our audience said:
“Inspiring and empowering for all women and girls.”
“A beautiful picture of cross-cultural relationships and the power of women supporting each other through trauma.”
“A powerful balance of humour and pain. Insightful, authentic, and deeply moving.”
“The characters felt so real — it was a privilege to witness their stories.”
We are now:
Commissioning the original song featured in the play.
Raising funds to produce Mi Gyals as a radio play.
Stay tuned, more info coming soon!
About the playwrights
Paloma Davis is a British actress, writer and poet of Caribbean descent, who was first introduced to the Yellow box theatre whist performing in the short film One in 2020. Her debut as an actress, found her performing in productions such as The Crucible and A Dolls House for the Rose Theatre Kingston. She is a member of an all-female improvisation group named Picked Mix. Paloma Davis started writing a few years ago, Olive will be her debut play for the stage as part of a collective of writers.
Roshi Thevasagayam is a British born South Asian writer and editor. She trained at DeMontfort University in Drama Studies and Media and at M. A. Singers in Sri Lanka in Musical Theatre. Roshi is a brilliant self-starter who loves animation, editing, filming, photography and coding. Recent credits include lead editor on a documentary series called Think and on short film called One, by the Yellow box theatre. One received a Special mention for noticeable work at the London International Film Festival 2021.
Ruth Allier-Dugdale is a French actor, writer and emerging director, with a background in community-based arts and advocacy. She trained at the University College London, KSA Academy of Performing Arts and Rose Theatre. Founder of the Yellow box theatre, her debut short-film ‘One’ created with a collective of artists, received a Special mention at the London International Film Festival 2021. Writing credits include journalistic for the House of Lords as well as creative pieces such as You & I.
Natasha Stiven is a Scottish actor and writer, who trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London. Recent acting credits include Catherine and Mary Smith in touring productions of Wuthering Heights and Cranford, Dandelion at the King’s Head Theatre and One with the Yellow Box Theatre, through which she first formed a connection with the company. Cassie featuring in Birds is Natasha Stiven's debut play for the stage.
Just imagine
Change
We are committed to engage and participate with our local communities in Brixton and beyond in all our projects. As part of our participation and engagement programme, we hope to conduct:
A series of workshops in performing arts for local survivors.
As a response to the play and campaign work, we aim to offer local women who are survivors of gender-based violence, affordable workshops in performing arts, led by professional performers and creatives.
These workshops will aim:
to introduce a performing art form in a safe and female-led environment.
to develop confidence, self-expression and creativity.
to support one’s own creative journey.
Stay tuned, workshops soon to be announced!
