There are flashing lights and hushed conversations and eventually I will be escorted home without charge. Because it was an accident. And I’m new here. I didn’t mean any harm.

Twenty-five year old Mog is sexually assaulted on a Brighton bus. After several weeks of doctor’s visits, she is referred to a self defence class and develops a taste for violence. ‘The Self Defence Class’ asks: what are we saying when we tell women to learn self defence? What does it mean to live anticipating violence?

The play was developed at Scratching the Servers: Wonder Women by the UnDisposables, where it was performed by Adiza Shardow and directed by Madeleine Corner. It was later produced as an audio drama with Broken Silence Theatre at Brighton Fringe 2021 as part of Voices from Home, where it was performed by Julia Grogan and directed by Sophie Drake.

Reviews and Accolades

“‘The Self Defence Class’, Written by Maddy Accalia and performed by Julia Grogan, is my personal favourite of the collection. It follows ‘Mog’s’ journey as they find meaning in violence after being publicly sexually assaulted and what could lie beneath this violence. Grogan’s performance is full of life and carries this audio play well, helping me to feel fully immersed in the story. The play is very fast-paced, an often apt interpretation of how the aftermath of sexual assault can sometimes feel, keeping the story engaging and high-stakes for listeners. Accalia handled the topic of sexual assault with such a delicate hand, using humour without overshadowing the seriousness, which makes it easy for me empathise with Mog throughout, whilst allowing me to also enjoy the refreshing humour when needed.” - A Younger Theatre

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Click here for Maddy’s interview with Broken Silence Theatre