Shield Maiden at artsdepot

"Shield Maiden" brings historic Viking warrior wisdom to artsdepot for its 20th anniversary this International Women's Day

As women's rights roll back across the globe, a new show making its London debut offers hope by unearthing ancient wisdom from one Viking warrior woman

An ancient (pre-patriarchy) civilisation

"More than a millennium ago, in what’s now southeastern Sweden, a wealthy Viking warrior was laid to rest in a resplendent grave filled with swords, arrowheads, and two sacrificed horses. For years, archaeologists believed the grave to be that of a male, but DNA analysis of the remains revealed a powerful truth: the grave belonged to a woman.” - National Geographic

This discovery ignited a fire in Melanie Teichroeb to dive deeper into the history of Viking warrior women and unpick the layers of patriarchy that have shaped women's perception of society and place for centuries.

From this revelation, Shield Maiden is forged—a feminist solo show that channels the fierce spirit of these warrior women to encourage equality and reclaim the warrior archetype for modern women. Through the character of Ingrid Larsdöttir, a 10th-century Viking Garrison Commander, Melanie invites audiences into a rowdy, comedic “Viking TED Talk” where Ingrid offers practical advice on how to embrace your inner warrior and live life unapologetically.

Funny, sexy, fierce, and unapologetic

Shield Maiden peels back the layers of history to expose uncomfortable truths about the treatment of women over the last thousand years. As Ingrid tries to engage new recruits, she inadvertently reveals her tragic and violent past, showing the complex struggles between trauma and inner strength. Her clarion call for equality is nothing short of inspiring, empowering women to embrace their true power, free from the constraints of societal expectations.

Playwright and performer Melanie Teichroeb says: "Witnessing Ingrid tap into her inner strength is inspiring. Her clarion call for equality and new recruits always prevails as she empowers women to reclaim the warrior archetype in our modern world.
 

"The show challenges untruths about women and gendered expectations, and is based on an historical character who history gaslit the hell out of - while encouraging women to embolden their armour of resilience by thinking "what would Ingrid do?."

A 10th century Viking TED Talk on what it means to be a warrior woman.
Teichroeb, inspired by the #MeToo Movement, infuses her performance with rage, humour, and the resilience of women. The red headed Viking addresses themes of sexism, gender bias, sexual freedom, and trauma, drawing on her own experiences to bring Ingrid to life.

Shield Maiden challenges historical biases and gendered expectations, urging both men and women to reconsider the roles they’ve been assigned and open their eyes to the full, unapologetic dimensions of the women in their lives. 

The show makes its London debut having toured New York City, Austin, Texas, Nanaimo and all across British Columbia, where Melanie resides on a small, remote coastal island.

Dress up as your own inner warrior and join the rowdy crowd - a post-show discussion follows, giving audiences a chance to engage with the themes of the performance, ask questions, and even take photos with Ingrid. BSL interpretation of the show is provided.