Riot on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe: Pussy Riot’s story of protest, punk and power

Riot Days at the Edinburgh Fringe. A show based upon the memoir of Maria Alyokhina, founder of Pussy Riot. Alyokhina founded the movement in 2011, with a strong feminist centre. The group advocate for gender and LGBTQ rights, vehemently opposing Vladamir Putin and his re-election into presidency.

“To back down an inch is to give up a mile”- the Atelier Populaire

Fuelled by concerns for political corruption and freedom of speech, Pussy Riot adopt a guerilla approach embodied by early feminist punk expression. The collective call for action through fierce protest, including unsanctioned public performances. Most notably, the group's brief performance during their takeover of Christ the Saviour Orthodox church in 2012, protesting Putin's return to presidency.

Such defining moments in Pussy Riot's history are recounted to the audience throughout the show. Members Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich take the audience on a journey of trial, incarceration and subsequent protests in prison. The show shares glimpses into the girl’s life in incarceration, as they fight to find power in even the most powerless situations, carrying out hunger strikes in protest.

The multimedia performance merges punk, electronica, theatre, documentary footage and protest. Pussy Riot know how to keep their audience entranced, channeling their triumphs, hardships, unrelenting chaos and energy into the most spectacular riot.

By encapsulating the collective's story into a captivating performance, Pussy Riot are able to reach unexpected audiences, like those who may not have been aware of the group or the issues they represent. For some, the show may simply be a compelling performance that leaves them slightly more socially conscious. For others, it can serve as a powerful catalyst, inspiring them to reflect on their own freedoms and even to take action in their respective communities.

By sharing their story, Pussy Riot live to tell the tale of those who have dared to resist oppression. In this vein, the performance opens the door for others to consider protest and activism as meaningful responses. In the end, whatever reason made you come to the show, it is clear everyone leaves a fan.