Theatre/Dance Crossover WHAT IF I TOLD YOU Set for English Preview Tour Before Edinburgh Run

Pauline Mayers is used to people making assumptions about her based on her gender, background and skin colour; it's been happening all of her life. But she's defied those expectations at every turn, tearing up the narrative that society tried to impose on her.

Last year Pauline hit a crisis point. Perhaps not that unusual for a woman in her mid 40s, but a pretty big deal when it happens to you. She didn't know where her life was taking her, had no sense of where she'd come from. She was at a crossroads but couldn't see where the routes led. So she looked back thorough her life and thought about how her experiences may relate to others.

What if I Told You is Pauline's way of telling her (his)tory as a black woman, a dancer and choreographer. It's a story of universal truths and contradictions that we can all relate to. She invites her audience to spend an hour playing together to challenge boundaries, personal histories, gender and skin colour, carefully balancing dance and theatre and dispensing with traditional barriers between performer and audiences.

'In the show I share my experiences, learn about those of others then attempt to draw conclusions from those experiences' said Pauline. 'I look at my life in relation to aspects of black history and while some of that is quite harrowing I like to think we create a warm and generous spirit in the room. Self-care is a central theme of the show and I want to gently encourage people to be brave and to stray slightly outside their comfort zone'.

Along the way the story of James Sims, cited by some as the 'father of modern gynaecology' weaves through Pauline's own. Sims bought, then operated on, black female slaves without anaesthetic, believing that black bodies didn't suffer pain in the way white bodies do. Many of Sims' methods and discoveries are still used today.

In the second part of the show the audience is invited by poet, playwright and activist Khadijah Ibrahiim to stay for Koan: What If You Told Us to share thoughts and ideas inspired by the show.

Following these exclusive preview dates What if You Told Us will be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

What If I Told You is written and performed by Pauline Mayers and directed by Chris Goode. It is produced by West Yorkshire Playhouse, Little Mighty and Theatre in the Mill with Creative Producer Rosalind Coleman and funded by Arts Council England.

Pauline Mayers trained at the Rambert School and is a theatremaker, choreographer and dancer. She has performed for contemporary dance companies and taught choreographers across the UK and internationally. These include Janet Smith & Dancers, Diversions Dance, Phoenix Dance Company and The Ensemble Group. She has also worked with theatre companies such as Tell Tale Hearts and Red Ladder.

Chris Goode is a writer, director and performer described as 'one of the most exciting talents working in Britain today' (Guardian). His work includes four Fringe First award- winning shows: Neutrino (with Unlimited Theatre), Kiss of Life, Monkey Bars (Traverse) and Men in the Cities (Royal Court and Traverse).

TOUR LISTINGS:

What if I Told You - Pauline Mayers with The Mayers Ensemble

Theatre and dance combine in a thought-provoking yet playful exploration of life, racism and how slavery informed modern medical practices.

Suitable for ages 14+.

7 June 8pm

Reading, South Street Theatre, 21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU

£12, £10 concessions, £8 members, 01189 606060 www.readingarts.com

8th June 7.30pm

Bradford Theatre in the Mill, Shearbridge Road, Bradford BD7 1NX

£10 full/£6 concessions/£4 discounted 01274 233200 brad.ac.uk/theatre

9 June 7.30 pm

Leicester Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Rd, Leicester LE1 7HA

£pay what you can (0116) 223 1181 www.attenborougharts.com

19 & 20 June 7.30pm

Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square M2 7DH

£12/£10 0161 833 9833