HEATHER JORDAN ROSS
Rape is Real and Everywhere is a comedy show starring rape survivors telling jokes about their own rapes. At first glance, the show devised by Emma Cooper and Heather Jordan Ross is a more shocking proposal than a humorous one. But as Ross tells Swerve Going Out editor
Jon Roe, it’s a cathartic experience to frame one’s rape as humour.
Why is humour a good way to talk about rape?
I think any way we can talk about rape is important because it’s a conversation that’s not happening. Humour is the best way to talk about it for us and the performers, personally. If it’s a way to access the conversation, we’re all the merrier for it. I know that I’m processing my grief through humour, and we’ve booked about 30 people from across this country for whom that’s true as well.
What were you looking for when you were picking performers?
It’s important that people are strong comedians because they have to have the strength to say what they’re going to say. To be a new comedian—I’ve been there—you’re afraid to talk about being on the bus. To be a new comedian talking the worst thing that’s ever happened to you is very challenging.
What’s the difference between a good rape joke and a bad rape joke?
The difference is whether or not you are punching up or punching down. I don’t banish anybody from making any type of joke, but if you’re going to joke about something dark and complicated, understand why you’re saying it and who you’re supporting when you say it. If you make a rape joke and the person who laughs is a rapist, you’ve got to reconsider your jokes.
Have you received any negative response from survivors?
One woman called this show a slap in the face to survivors, but a guy who was on our Vancouver show was like, I don’t feel slapped in the face. I think the people that are angry about this show haven’t read into the show. They see the name, they see that it’s a comedy show about rape, and they’re like, rape is never funny. Yeah, but read the synopsis, realize this show is survivors talking about their experience. This is a cathartic thing for us.
How has doing this show helped you with dealing with your own rape?
Oh f---, so much. Pardon my French. Truly, it’s been an incredible experience. I literally started playing this show the week I reported my assault. It’s been happening really parallel to this show that I’ve been processing it. It’s been really wonderful for me just to articulate what happened to me and to lay down the fact that this happened to me at this time and that I don’t deserve this. Now that I’m willing to move forward and laugh about it, it’s one of the most healing things I’ve ever done in my life.