Scene: The Feminist Cult Agenda

The Feminist Cult Agenda, Nicola and Kerris, are headlining Unearthed Festival at Live Theatre Newcastle on Friday 3rd July with their debut show, The Awakening. Joanna Long caught up with them to find out about the world they’ve built, who’s in it, and why the Northeast comedy scene is about to feel its full force.

The Feminist Cult Agenda didn’t start with a mission statement. It started with a male comedian who was annoyed about the state of the Northeast comedy circuit and made the mistake of muttering the words “feminist cult agenda” out loud, within earshot of Nicola. “When I heard that,” she says, “I thought, that is a delicious title.” She filed it away. She waited. And then she and Kerris started to play.

What followed was trips to Lindisfarne dressed as “decent blokes,” building vagina costumes on a granddad’s sewing machine, filming sketches at raves, casting a gay friend to spend an entire day physically playing someone’s bra, and has now become something neither of them quite planned and both of them absolutely couldn’t stop. The Feminist Cult Agenda is a world; it has its own lore, its own law, its own characters, its own Bible, currently being rewritten…

“It’s a series of sketches,” says Kerris, “but it feels more like a world where we elevate characters within that world, a sketch group but with significant depth.”

What it is and who is it for?
The show is a complex ensemble piece with live performance, screen, music, and multiple characters all woven together into something that feels as at home in a theatre as it does going viral on social media. The title ‘The Awakening’ is not accidental. “It’s about wokeness,” says Nicola, “but to get away from the politics of it, it’s just about human nature. It’s about reflecting something that’s completely of its time.” Comedy, they believe, is the most powerful vehicle for that. Open someone up with laughter, and they become receptive. Make them receptive, and you can tell them the truth. The ancient role of the clown, as Nicola puts it, is the truth teller. That is what the FCA identifies as; truth tellers with hammers, currently in the business of knocking down ancient scaffolding.

And the audience they’re building isn’t defined by gender, “It’s for people who are aware of the patriarchy and are done with it,” says Nicola, “who do not want to be in a world where men have to perform toxic masculinity to be considered men, and women have to be shaped by the male gaze.” That said, every man they’ve involved in filming has, without exception, been completely on board. One played Nicola’s bra, all day, that’s commitment. “That’s in the show,” Kerris confirms.

Where does it happen?
The Awakening showcases the two media of live performance and screen. Some of the sketches exist only live, some of the filmed content could only ever work on screen. The FCA show gives you both, which is exactly the pull. Matt, honorary cult member, editor, and all-round tech genius, has been instrumental in making the screen content land. “His timing is just hot,” says Nicola. “He understands the beat, he understands what we’re trying to hit.”

Live Theatre Newcastle is where The Awakening makes its debut as the headline show at the Unearthed Festival. Getting there wasn’t instant; conversations with Live Theatre began last summer, because new work requires trust, and trust takes time. “I love that about Live Theatre,” says Kerris. “The fact that they partner with completely new work.” She’s been a fan of the venue for years, completed a playwriting course there, and has always dreamed of performing on its stage. “There’s not a lot of comedy in theatre,” she adds. “So this is a really great opportunity.”

How to get involved.
This is where it gets interesting. The FCA is by no means a closed shop, but a community in the truest sense, with performers, collaborators and audience members commenting, sharing, and interacting. And the FCA team are tapping into what Nicola calls “the plethora of talent in the Northeast,” pulling in actors, comedians, clowns, and people found simply walking down the street. If you’re a woman who’s curious about performance and wants to be part of something, start a conversation. The FCA want to hear from you.

Later in the year they’re planning focus groups, bringing women together to talk about lived experiences and frustrations; the things that get tolerated but never spoken out loud. A therapist will be present to ensure it is all handled with care. “We want to open a conversation,” says Kerris. “Not create a chasm of pain.” Ridiculous and silly on the surface, and important underneath. That is the FCA in a sentence.

What they want you to feel walking out.
“I want them to feel taller,” says Nicola. “Energised. Delighted. Changed but lighter.” Kerris wants them to feed this beast, to comment, to share, to come back, to bring others. To nurture something that is, right now, finding its feet at exactly the right moment.

“Bring friends,” says Nicola, as a final note. “And wear leopard print.”

The Feminist Cult Agenda presents The Awakening, Live Theatre Newcastle, Friday 3rd July, 7:30pm. Follow @thefca.comedy on Instagram and interact by commenting, sharing and telling your friends; the algorithm and the revolution need you.