Period Drama

Rose is back! And wants to say thank you for the Aroha, their friends, family, and fellow artists who supported them through seeking treatment.

Trans MAD artist Rose Kirkup recently had a hysterectomy after a long journey to be diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). During the struggle to get the operation Rose found solace in the Wellington Speedway, a place where you can scream, eat hot chips, see cars crash, and witness some of the most stunning sunsets in the area.

A dishevelled & spray painted pink Toyota Corolla, sits on a lawn. On the roof sits a young person with a red stratocaster guitar. A individual stands alongside with smoke exiting the vehicle. Behind two children bounce on a trampoline.

“For me the demo derby is the greatest metaphor for being a woman in our health system. Trying to access care in the reproductive department is like you’re a demo car. You’re on a dirty track, going around in circles, with a bunch of other people ready to bash into each other for limited resource. Your body is a shell, everything guttered out, all your glass gone, badges ripped off and told you’re not worth a new Rego. Whoever is the last car running gets their hysterectomy”
– Rose Kirkup

Rose, proud of her Hutt roots hopes by bringing other bogan artists and experts in Te ao Māori together they will create a transformational space that looks at our cycles in relation to how our world is shifting. Leaning into challenging kōrero about how we better care, support and decolonize our communities regaining sovereignty over our bodies and mauri.

Rose is excited to develop a work that celebrates everything bogan while talking about our menstrual cycles.

“The metal is hot and the engine is hungry and we’re all about to see the light”
Meatloaf

Creative Team:

Concept by Rose Kirkup

The House of PD
Benny’s Video / Nic Lane / Bill Kirkup / Rowan Pierce / Lucie Camp / Jacob Dombroski / Jake Brown / Marshal Rankin

Development Season/s:

2022 The Grand Hall, Bogan Gala, Te Matatiki Toi Ora : The Arts CentreŌtautahi, 29 July

Media:

In The Beginning, There Was Rage prologue to Period Drama

Development:

Rose started the journey of Period Drama, while documenting their journey on their Period Drama NZ instagram.

BATS Theatre funded bringing the initial team together at Ōtaki Beach as part of their 2022 STAB Lab commissions.

Bogan Gala:

Following receiving a 3 month residency at Te Matatiki Toi Ora : The Arts Centre, Rose began connecting with the community to collate people and stories and claiming their own title as the Wizitch of Canterbury.

Programme notes:

‘In The Beginning, There Was Rage’ a Bogan Gala is a letting go of old narratives in the hope to paddle, the choppy waters head with less fear and anger in Rose’s heart. This happening is the first chapter of Period Drama an intersectional live artwork that explores bogan culture, classical performance, play, and the life cycle.

I talk openly about period issues ‘cos it consumed me for so long. I’ve met so many people affected by period disorders / diseases, ‘normal’ families, parents, siblings, life partners, and pets, haunted by these shrouded afflictions. It’s bleak, and hopeless, nothing can prepare you for it in the current way we exist and care for each other and our humanity. That’s why tonight I invite you to Rage! Let loose, party like you’re at the form 2 disco, go on do a knee slide and play some air guitar! The Bogan Gala is a space to take a beat in the forever cycle of catch and release. I believe accessible art can come in many shapes and forms. Not every key fits the hole, but I hope tonight this patchwork of dreams we present to you ignites some Rage, Magic, and Pride within.
– Rose

This time has helped me find my fire again and for that, I am very thankful.

To all of my friends and family, the day ones, to the newbies you are all my heroes, I could never tread these boards with such belief without you by my side. X

Thanks

Maestro – Rose Kirkup
Stage Lord – Lucie Camp
Design / Sound- Rowan Pierce
MC / Manaakitanga – Jacob Dombroski
Support – Nic Lane

Alexander Bickerton – Phillip Aldridge
The Lezzy Bois, – Wroy G Biv, Adrian Pang,
Cameron Giddies, Luka Göres, Rose Kirkup
MC – George Fenn
Mix Producer, DJ – Nephtalim Antoine
Pianist – Chris Archer
Meatloaf Vocalist – Lily Bourne

Gibson Girls – Eydie Wilkes, Charlotte Mepham
Sofia Mepham, Florence Wilkes, Claire Kirkup,
Madeline Berry, Lulu Berry, Rachel Dombroski.
Crew – Jay Stevenson, M Dombroski, Henry Mepham
BBQ – Freeman Dombroski
Clarabella Gala Queen – Jonty Holstein

Te Matatiki Toi Ora,The Arts Centre, Hannah Wilson-Black, Jenny,
Shelley Erskine, Anna Shepherd, Philip Aldridge, & Chris Archer
The Arts Centre site team: Andrew, Richard, Derek, Craig and Alex.
UC School of Music, Naomi van den Broek, BATS Theatre,
Two Productions, Alice Canton, The Kirkup family, The Lane Family, Juanita Hepi and whanau, The Newbery whanau, Zena Elliott, Tia Barrett, Hefty Jeff, Richard Larsen, Rosie Smyth and Junie, Phillip Scott, Nicola & Immy, & Elizabeth Rose.

Have you Tried?

Have you tried acupuncture?
My sister has that/
What’s wrong with you?
You do you, babe.
Are you bipolar?
You’re a headache.
What do you need?
Stop crying.
Do you practice mindfulness
We love you.
Do you have endo?
Go to the doctor
Don’t you know your cycle?
Love yourself!
You don’t know your cycle?
It’s your diet, change it.
Are you on the pill?
Get off birth control
Have you tried yoga?
Get over it.
Have you tried weed?
You smoke too much weed
What about one tramadol, one panadol?
Your mind is your acid.
Have you tried anti-D’s?
No dairy.
Have you tried the natural path?
Be the super artist. be a leader.
Do you meditate?
Sleep more.
Have you tried an internal massage?
No tomato
Have you tried a TENS machine?
The Mirena will fix it.
I get heavy bleeding too do you?
The hysterectomy will fix it.
Are you using moon cups?
Tumeric and magnesium
You’re horrible.
Are you keeping a diary?
Have you tried being spanked with a paddle?
You need a nutritionist,
A therapist,
A naturopath,
A masseuse,
An acupuncturist.
A GP,
A mentor,
A husband,
A house,
a career,
a dog,
a baby,
a purpose,
Take control,
do better
don’t give up
you’ve got this
keep trying,
It will get better.

In 2022 BATS Theatre which led to bringing some of the team together in Ōtaki.
In July- August 2022 received an artistic residency at Te Matatiki Toi Ora : The Arts Centre, in Ōtautahi.

Thanks:

Our Whanau & Friends…

Tania Kuka, Nga Powhiri Kim Taupo, Ōrongomai Hauora Services

Aperahama Kipa, Vanessa Karakia Kore Grey, Nephtalim Antoine, Isadora Lao

Juanita Hepi, Cara Louise Waretini, Hannah Kelly

Dr Latha Vasan, Dominique Maxwell

Zena Elliott, Asher Newbery,

Lu McCarthy, Jason Wright, Liv McGregor, Kerry Brown, Richard Larsen, Tanya Drewery, Jared Hemopo, Lucie Camp, Nick Kyle, Chris Ulutupu, Elizabeth Pointon, WD Motors : William Dodson.

Marie Kirkup, Bill Kirkup, Jake Berry, Ritchie Berry, Lulu Berry, Claire Mepham, Henry Mepham, Charlotte Mepham, Sophia Mepham, Eydie Wilkes, Curtis Wilkes, Florence Wilkes.

Rowan Pierce, Bianca Hyslop.

BATS Theatre: Carrie Thiel
Te Matatiki Toi Ora : The Arts Centre – Shelley Erskine, Hannah Wilson Black, Anna Shepherd, Philip Aldridge, Chris Archer
Creative New Zealand