Review: CONQUEST, The Vaults

Alice (Lucy Walker-Evans) is trying to buy the morning after pill in Boots after being assaulted when she meets Jo (Colette Eaton), who drags her into a world of feminist revenge. Written by Katie Caden and directed by Jess Daniels, Conquest explores feminism and consent humorously, uncovering darker undertones.

Targeting men who sexually abuse women, Jo's company is known all around town for delivering cupcakes containing tampons. Alice's arrival in the club is the turning point, as they start aiming higher and considering the bigger picture.

"Is it ethical?" "Is rape ethical?" a rather pacifistic punishment to horrible crimes, Alice is initially surprisingly horrified by their method but ends up developing a new, subversive attitude helped by the others in the team. It's by portraying them one after the other, swapping roles quickly and smoothly, that Eaton and Walker-Evans truly shine.

Caden's script has a playful nature, but her characters have the tendency to fall into caricatures at times. Jo's feminist explanations to Alice's observations, delivered as asides, start as a quirk of the piece but become slightly repetitive in their humour. However, the actresses play with a non-existent fourth wall, engaging with the audience and turning the script into a lively and entertaining recount.

Daniels is able to give an even more comical twist to the text, especially when other characters are being played, utilising the actresses' natural physicality to portray the colourful gang of women. Eaton is especially outstanding, her voice and posture changing and moulding differently with each role.

The play's flaws are forgivable, as the strength of Conquest lies in its heart: it's not really about retribution or proper activism (although those are the actual plot), but more about sisterhood and the power of teaming up to change the world for the better.

Conquest is running at Vault Festival until 25 February.

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