Will The Apology offer comfort women closure?
PLAY HIGHLIGHTS JAPAN’S WAR-TIME ATROCITIES AGAINST ASIAN FEMALES
THEY were known as comfort women during the Second World War, but as the play, The Apology, highlights, these women’s lives were far from comfortable.
They were, in fact, sexual slaves, there to appease the needs of soldiers in the Imperial Japanese Army.
With many of these women slowly passing away, their stories could die with them, especially as authorities refuse to acknowledge what the women endured.
The Apology looks at the suffering of these comfort women, reported to number around 50,000–200,000, through the eyes of a real-life UN investigator who exposed the truth in 1996.
Rising theatre star Sharan Phull plays the character of Priyanka, based on Radhika Coomaraswamy, a former UN special rapporteur on violence against women.
Coomaraswamy spoke to a number of comfort women, reviewed historical documents, and liaised with Japanese women advocacy groups before concluding that the women were “wartime slaves”.
“Comfort stations were around during the Second World War, but subsequently they were covered-up and these women were silenced,” Phull told Eastern Eye.
“The Apology gives voice to them and (perhaps they can get) some closure.”
Coomaraswamy’s report urged the Japanese government to acknowledge its legal responsibility and to pay compensation to the victims. This led to a change in the course material in school textbooks and the setting up of an Asian Women’s Fund.
However, Coomaraswamy accused the Japanese government of ‘regressing’ after they recently stated they could not confirm if the comfort women had been forced into service. Some right-wingers have wrongly called them “wartime prostitutes”.
Phull said it is vital the women’s stories are heard now so they can get ‘reparation’ for what they went through.
“The play is so relevant because there are fewer survivors as each year goes on. These stories have to be told now so that they get the reparation they deserve.
“I wanted the chance to be part of this really important story.”
Phull said she read Coomaraswamy’s report about the plight of the comfort women and what happened to them after the war.
“Priyanka goes on a huge journey of understanding the extent of the duplicity and the cover-ups,” she said.
“In particular, as she meets one of the comfort women and hears her story, it is the fire and the catalyst to what she realises is such an important story to tell.
“As she interviews more people, the atrocities and the extent of the suffering really shock her, but it also becomes even more of a reason why she sticks with it and makes sure she publishes the report – because she wants to prompt this change.”
With a women-led cast from diverse backgrounds, Phull admitted the story might not have seen the light of day a few years ago. But she noticed a shift in stories being told in the theatres as a result of the changing political and social landscape in recent years. “I’ve been an advocate for diversity and I think definitely in the last few years there’s been a massive shift, but there is still a massively long way to go,” she said.
“This cultural diversity is around all of us. I feel strongly that should be represented, especially through the art that we have.”
Phull added, “I want it to get to a stage where you are playing characters, regardless of your background, because the essence of everything is being human and telling stories. That’s the essence of theatre and art; so I love shows that actually do that.
“This show has a female voice throughout and audiences will see strength in that. It’s also championing and giving space to east Asian and south Asian voices – allowing that to be at the forefront. The more I see that, the more I celebrate it because this is huge and how it should be.”
Phull has tapped into her Asian heritage through her work, including in the hit musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, in which she toured the UK playing the character Pritti Pasha, as well as the Curve Theatre production, Pink Saree Revolution.
“Pritti, who is Jamie’s best friend, gets to explore her culture in a way that is expressive and she finds out what it means to her. It’s about young people finding themselves, showing who they really are and being comfortable with that. Telling that story every day was amazing.”
Pink Saree revolution was about the empowerment of Indian women. Phull said, “It taught me a lot about their background and it was amazing to connect with that.
“I love when I watch something – either in theatre, film, or on TV – that we’re being represented so much more, because it’s a part of everybody’s narrative.”
Phull made her debut in the original West End cast of the Bend it like Beckham: The Musical at the Phoenix Theatre, where she played Pimpy and was also first cover for the lead role of Jess Bhamra.
She looked back on the experience of being part of such an iconic British Asian story with pride. “That will always be one of the standout moments of my career,” she said. “Having a story of a British Asian character on the stage was amazing.
“My mum grew up in Southall and seeing that reflected, and of her experiences and being able to tell the story of your culture, who you are – that space was incredible.
“It’s a story that endures because it’s about living your dreams while also being rooted to your culture – that’s important to us, and it definitely captures the essence of that in the show.”
Phull showed off her singing voice as part of the Kings of Broadway concert and also when she performed songs from Everybody’s Talking About Jaimie on The Show Must Go On! Live which was live streamed on YouTube.
Her screen experience includes an episode of Back for Channel 4 and the Cadbury Secret Santa commercial. While she enjoys working in front of the camera, Phull is keen on continuing to do “powerful” roles, whatever platform they may come on.
“I want to do things I haven’t done, so I started doing more in that world (TV). And it’s nice because it’s a completely different approach and skill-set,” she said.
“I want to be anywhere that I can learn something new, explore a bit more and challenge myself. I would definitely like to explore the breadth of what’s out there and keep my options open.”