A dance theatre solo conceived, laboured, and birthed by Karla Shacklock.
Developed on Complicité’s Mudlarks International Residency.
Liberation via lactivism! Both healing balm and urgent battle cry, Niplash dives into the societal pressures, insane mixed messaging, and unconditional love surrounding infant feeding*. Expect to see milk, tears, and confetti.
Karla shares her experience of feeding three children and weaves into the show stories and feeding paraphernalia kindly donated by dozens of m/others across the country. Niplash is for the mum who was spat at for bottle feeding her baby in the street, the mum told to put her tits away in a café, the mum scorned for feeding a baby with different skin colour to her own, the mum who only dare pump for her baby with the curtains closed at home.
For all the m/others. For all of us.
* Niplash is a show that explores how we feed our children, this includes breast, chest, and formula milk feeding. The show does not place one form of feeding above another and seeks to acknowledge the myriad of experiences and complex journeys.
POST-SHOW DISCUSSION
Following the performance there will be an informal and warmly facilitated post-show activity hosted by Lizzy Humber (Matrescence Festival).
DONATION BANK
If you have any unwanted feeding equipment (bottles, pumps, teats, pads, bras etc) that you would like to add to the tapestry of Niplash, then please do bring them along and place them in the donation bank. They may get used in a performance, installation, or woven into our huge Lactivist flag that we will be flying proudly around the country. Thank you.
QUOTES
“Niplash is the best piece of theatre I’ve ever seen. Astounding, hilarious, and hard hitting. An absolute dream of a show, exploring a complex subject through stunning visuals, thrilling movement, and a generous splash of comedy” Katie Villa, Curator of Reclaim Festival
“Niplash is a rare example of a show totally in sync with its audience – an astonishing experience.” Sam Parker, Producer, Exeter Northcott Theatre
“Nourishing, empowering, and political, Niplash leaves you deeply moved, with a sense of something shifting inside.” Lucy Webber, Lactation Consultant and Author
A parent-accessible matinee offers a relaxed show, adult centred, but where children under 2 are welcome too.
We have reduced amplification and dimmed lights to support little ears. You are free to move about during the performance and come and go as you need; we expect babies and toddlers to make noise. We also have some children’s ear defenders on offer or you may prefer to bring your own.
On arrival you will be supported to park your buggy and find an emergency cup of tea or something stronger from the café bar. We encourage you to arrive a bit early to meet other sleep-deprived parents, we’re all in it together. Please feel empowered to breast, chest, or bottle-feed. The café-bar can also provide hot water behind the bar if you need to warm bottles.
By purchasing a ticket by telephone, online, over the counter, or via a third-party agency, you are agreeing to Taunton Brewhouse’s conditions of sale.
Waiting List & Re-Selling Tickets
While we have a no refund and no exchange policy, the Box Office facilitates a Waiting List for events which are sold out, and a potential Re-Sale list of tickets that customers can no longer use. If an event is listed as sold out, please phone the Box Office to add your name and phone number to the Waiting List.
If you can no longer use your ticket(s), please phone the Box Office to discuss. We may be able to sell them to another customer if the event is sold out. These tickets will not be for purchase online, but will be offered to customers already on the Waiting List or who enquire after the show has sold out.
If some or all of your tickets are re-sold, they will be refunded to you minus the non-refundable £3 commission on each ticket.
We do not guarantee any sales via this process, and we will only attempt to re-sell tickets when all other seats have been sold and the event is listed as sold out.
Essential Companions
For patrons who require an Essential Companion to access our venue, we offer one complimentary ticket per patron with access needs. This is available when booking in person, on the telephone, or online. Before you book for the first time, please give the Box Office a call or email us to register for this.
Essential Companion tickets are intended for customers requiring additional support. This must be due to disability-related needs, significant and in excess of what could be reasonably expected of family or friends already accompanying you. Please note: Essential Companions must be able to provide adequate assistance in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
Babies-on-Lap & Under 14s
You are welcome to bring babies under 24 months free of charge, seated on your lap, one baby per lap. You do not need tickets for babies and you do not need to notify us. Anyone aged 2+ requires their own ticket. Young people under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 18+.
Group Booking Discount – book 10 tickets and get 1 free!