After 13 years in Catholic school, I'm no stranger to strict uniform policies - but never had I considered the role this plays in victim-blaming. For me, ankles are a purely anatomical structure. Show them or don't; they're just another part of the body in my books.
For all too long, though, we've seen a woman's clothing held responsible for the actions of the men who violate them. For a lack of 'modesty', young women are seen as distracting their male classmates in a school environment. How far a leap is this really from using a woman's clothing to justify groping, assault or rape?
As the three young protagonists come to realise throughout the production, it's not too large a leap at all.
Taking on multiple roles were Brogan Gilbert, India Barnett and Kay Greyson - exploring a number of issues faced by women and those who identify as non-binary.
In a 'tutorial' reminiscent of an 80s aerobics video, the young woman performed a cheesy instruction video on how women can defend themselves using house keys. Following a number of reports of violence against women last year, this advice was commonplace, particularly on social media.
What starts off as a rather funny moment shifts to one many of us recognise all too well. The young people become so struck by the fear of walking home alone that they begin to hyperventilate and sprint their way to safety.
"I am yours to unravel and play" speaks one of the women, exasperated at the ways men dismantle women and their protective barriers. Also comes a heartfelt cry for womens' identity to remain their own, when she is tired of her "me not being mine".
During Pride Month, it was a delight to hear binding mentioned by one of the characters. For this 'spell', it was suggested that this means of flattening one's chest was a way of reclaiming their gender identity. As gropers often target an individual's breasts, a typically 'feminine' feature, I was particularly interested in this look at defining your own gender identity.
This performance dealt with some heavy issues including catcalling, consent and some of the concerning male attitudes over female sexuality. This was well-identified with content warnings and even still, this shouldn't necessarily put potential audiences off.
I for one am all for any play which seeks to challenge attitudes and circumstances we have accepted as the norm. Because why should women be held responsible for male arousal, labelled as a 'temptress' while men fall helplessly under their spell? Why should the individuality of some be censored at school-age to protect young men from temptation during class? Why are women criminalised for carrying keys to protect themselves when men make women feel unsafe and no one is doing a thing about it?
These are spells to challenge our culture of victim-blaming, in a world where women face oppression, discrimination and violence as the norm. Ankles explores an abundance of issues women, as well as non-binary individuals, face and presents them in a unique way that is both funny at times and heartbreaking at others.