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Split Ends is a theatre production with a difference.
It explores coercive control and uses physical theatre, puppetry and multi-media to display that to audiences.
Claudia Shnier has lived experience, and she has not only written, but directed and created the piece, too. Her show explores control and the effects of OCD.
I Love Manchester caught up with Claudia to find out some more before the show comes to Contact theatre, Manchester, in May this year.
What really is OCD?
OCD is often a misunderstood mental illness, with many myths surrounding it that still need to be busted.
“I think the ways OCD can manifest in each individual is quite commonly overlooked”
Claudia told I Love MCR: “I think the ways OCD can manifest in each individual is quite commonly overlooked.”
Anecdotally adding: “With my specific OCD, I don’t know anyone else who has this compulsion to cut their split ends, so for a long long time I just thought it was this very weird thing I did.
“It’s also so fascinating that with OCD, the way you can justify the compulsions and explain the ‘logic’ of needing to fulfil that compulsion can co-exist with the knowledge that the logic is flawed.”
We asked if she could give us an example, and she could: “Basically, I cut my hair because I was told it won’t grow otherwise, but I also know that the rate at which I am cutting my hair, I am actually causing it to thin out than actually grow.”
Layers of OCD
Claudia expands to tell us another layer of OCD. Perhaps not one we will all have heard of before.
Telling us: “Another element of OCD is religious OCD, which I touch on in the play. But because God is an unknowable, intangible being, we don’t know how He works, so the ability to explain or justify compulsions becomes more tricky.
“Like with the cutting hair, there is science to prove that I might be doing more damage to my hair than helping it grow, but with God, no one can tell you that there is no correlation between skipping a prayer at night time and getting hit by a bus, because it’s God, He works in mysterious ways!”
Themes of coercive control
Coercive control is far more common than people think. And if you are in this situation, many friends will say just leave but it’s not as simple as that.
Claudia spoke of her personal life experience, in the context of control.
She said: “It genuinely felt like I was under a spell, and that everything was dependent on what he wanted.
“I think what coercive control does to an individual, is it chips away at any self-worth you have, so that when bad behaviour on the abuser’s part arises, you are so susceptible to gaslighting and manipulation that you start to justify and accept abusive and toxic behaviours.”
She adds: “People need to know that people who exercise coercive control over other people are expert manipulators. They have a reason for everything and will somehow twist your words and blame you for making them behave that way.
“And at that point, your ability to articulate your feelings has been diminished, because they win every argument, and your ability to rebut their justifications also disappears because you start to question what is valid, what is real and what is delusion.”
How do OCD and coercive control interlink?
Did her personal OCD help or hinder her when it came to recognising what was happening? She says: “Interesting, because when my compulsions evolved from cutting my own hair to looking extensively for his shed hairs, armed with a vacuum, for hours at a time, I was told I was metaphorically trying to get him out of my space.
“And my urges arise when I am in distress, so this cycle might have been a great way to avoid confronting what I was experiencing”
“I think this really helped me to understand how I felt towards him.”
She adds: “My compulsions grew stronger, so I think my body was trying to tell me something that my brain couldn’t. In this way it helped me.
“But who’s to say that if I didn’t have my compulsions, maybe I would have had more time to process what was happening.
“When I cut my hair or vacuum, I completely detach myself from any feelings other than mild pleasure. And my urges arise when I am in distress, so this cycle might have been a great way to avoid confronting what I was experiencing.”
What to expect from Split Ends
Split Ends
So, what can audiences expect from this stage show? She smiled, “Despite all I’ve mentioned, I actually think the show is quite funny.
“The Sydney Morning Herald said it was ‘wildly funny’ and had ‘disturbing hilarity.’
“But the levity and comedic elements are balanced with an in-yer-face raw truth about coercive control.”
She added: “I think audiences can expect a skilful punch in the guts, inventive storytelling and movement sequences that can express my emotions better than words could.
“But imagine this with a techno soundtrack and deliberate charming chaos. Also, I think audiences will leave having a better understanding of abusive relationships, the damage left behind and feel empowered and validated.”
A vulnerable show
How has Split Ends been received so far? Claudia says: “Performing this show and receiving feedback from the audience has been one of the most incredible, rewarding and empowering things I have ever done in my life.
“I have been overwhelmed by audience responses, and my expectations of the reception have been far exceeded.”
Adding: “My audiences have been generous and wonderful. In Edinburgh, I was hugging a lot of audience members after the bows, which was odd and I can’t say I’ve ever done that before.
“But I think it’s because I share something super vulnerable and raw and people have really felt that and been moved by it. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience of performing this show.”
What is it about Manchester, for her?
As an Aussie, we were keen to find out what it is about Manchester, for her.
“cool city equals cool people”
Claudia told us: “Mancunians are super cool and love experimental things. I’ve also been told they are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
“It’s also supposed to be a wonderful city, so cool city equals cool people and I’m so excited to share it with you!”
Split Ends is at Contact from 19-20th May, and can be booked here.
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