Pussy Riot crowdfunds immersive London show about their imprisonment

Pussy Riot, in collaboration with London theatre company Les Enfants Terribles, is developing an immersive theatrical production in London set to open in November. The crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter has raised £50,000 of its £60,000 goal, with a deadline of August 18. Nadya Tolokno, a member of the feminist punk collective, stated that the show will allow audiences to experience what the group endured during their imprisonment, including recreations of Russian courts and a labor colony. The production aims to educate the public about being a political opponent in Russia today. The funds will be used exclusively for the six-week run. Pussy Riot's legal troubles began in spring 2012 after a protest against Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. In August 2012, Judge Marina Syrova sentenced Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina Samutsevich, and Maria Alyokhina to two years in prison on charges of hooliganism and blasphemy. They were released under amnesty in December 2013, against Putin's wishes. The group has stated their stance against Putin remains unchanged. Les Enfants Terribles, known for experimental and immersive performances, emphasized the importance of creating a realistic environment to tell Pussy Riot's story and remind audiences of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression.