2026 Theater an der Ruhr

Drowning Girls

Quick Info

Ruhrbühnen für die Demokratie

Screenwriters Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, and Daniela Vlaskalic based their script on the true story of Bessie Mundy, Alice Burnham, and Margaret Lofty. All three were murdered between 1912 and 1914 by the same man, George Joseph Smith.

Smith took the women by surprise by marrying them shortly after meeting them, persuading them to sign over all their possessions to him—and finally murdering them in bathtubs.

Despite this grim premise, the play is also characterized by a dark, disturbing humor. It not only shows how women can still be exposed to vulnerable situations today, but also looks back to a time when many women were financially or socially dependent on men. A time that encouraged abuse in all its forms – physical, emotional, economic, and social.

The unspoken message of the play is that violence against women in its various forms is unfortunately still a reality.

Written by: Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, Daniela Vlaskalic Translated by: Beliz Coşar Directed by: Erdal Beşikçioğlu Choreographer: Evrim Akyay Assistant Director: Fatih Sönmez Lighting Designer: Yakup Çartık Set Designer: Barış Dinçel Costume Designer: Alisse Nuera Poster Design: Hande Şiri Photography: Murat Muratal Performers: Naz Göktan, Selin Zafertepe, Hazal Türesan

In Turkish with German surtitles.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Web
www.theateranderruhr.de/en/programm/stuecke/9034-drowning-girls
to the schedule

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