The Contact Theatre continues to be the platform for both dynamic and alternative theatre for a new generation of creative artists. As part of its About Flying Solo Festival, Ria Hartley’s Untouchable is one the most powerful and moving pieces I have experienced. Guided by the staff we were led to the Pankhurst House, a Women’s support centre opposite the theatre and the place that Ria would use for her performance.
Ria Hartley's biographic solo performance explores her experiences growing up within a domestically violent mixed raced household and the steps she has taken to overcome and find her voice. This is a very challenging and personal project for Ria who has bravely decided to be open with her audience and to speak about her pain that was caused and how it not only affected her but her family later in life. This soft spoken, shy and caring young woman advises the audience that should any of them feel uncomfortable they are welcome to leave the space and return when they are ready.
Sitting in the round in a large living room, filled with items and pictures connected to Ria’s story, the audience immediately connected with her, both supportive and in segments assisted the young performer. 
In one segment, Ria asks the audience if anyone would volunteer to read a statement from her mother to which audience members openly raised their hands and read the honest and difficult words on how she suffered by the hands of her abuser and why she stayed with him. Three of the audience members were personally affected by Ria and her family’s honesty, revealing how domestic abuse is still an issue in our society and how it leaves it mark on a person.
Ria holds nothing back. Being the oldest of three children and having to help raise her two brothers, Puppy and Taz within this violent atmosphere. She explains how abuse both verbally and physically had an impact on the three siblings and their mother, that in one incident she took matters into her own hands with a rolling pin. She also uses intriguing metaphors like the Bean Seed experiment to show how a plant grows and die in different environments or without the basic resources and how it reflected her upbringing.
Untouchable is a golden example of the power that theatre can have on people to open their eyes on sensitive and relevant subjects. Ria Hartley has put both her heart, soul and pain into her performance and with the support of Women’s Aid and Contact has built her confidence to be the voice for those who are still suffering from domestic abuse. At the end of the performance an audience member went up to Ria and hugged her, thanking her for her honesty and bravery.
Reviewer: Luke Richards
Reviewed: 10th May 2016
