Vasilisa Forbes

Delphyne (meaning ‘womb’) discusses the stigma around menstruation. Addressing shame and acceptance, taboos around menstrual blood are told through a fabric-themed metaphor, and the conflict between a mother-daughter relationship; to find a shared unity and language to beat the conflict which projects itself in the shame metaphor that they’ve unwound and removed from their life. The historical connotations of staining, feminine purity and the divide between private and public space as well as ownership of the body come into play. The coming of age theme is reflected in reference to her struggle with the self (alter-ego), struggle with the ‘other’ (male influence) and struggle with the home (her Mother).

The great ‘British summer’ is a fleeting affair; it’s over before it even begins. But much like anything that alludes us, the magic of its temporariness persists and gives both hope, opportunity and nostalgia. For Tiny and Charlotte in British Summertime, this is the prevailing notion - that the chance they’ve been able to meet and connect is something truly special but it certainly won’t last forever.