They Weave with String that Suffocates

Aim

A new theatre production reimagining 6 women's stories from Greek mythology told through the eyes of the Fates. A whirlwind of female rage!

My name is Zazi the Artist, I’m an emerging theatremaker from Southern California, and I aim to revolutionise the way ancient Greek myths are adapted for a modern and future audience. I have my BA in Classics with a focus on Ancient Greek Literature and Drama, which plays a major role in the theatre I create. 

My shows are surreal, lyrical, and atmospheric, and speak to my experiences as a queer, latin, woman. I play with color lighting and stark movement choices in order to create an ethereal quality to my productions. 

I aim to create theatre that empowers women, not through a squeaky-clean “girlboss” mentality, but rather by highlighting the faults and issues of the women in my work and taking the stance that they’re still human and worthy of love, empathy, and respect.

They Weave with String that Suffocates embodies all of the goals I, as a theatremaker, hope to achieve with my creative practice.

The show began as my MFA first year creative project through the University of East London, and has blossomed into this full-length epic that spans over 30 years of mythology and encompasses 6 women’s stories. 

Here’s the synopsis of They Weave with String that Suffocates:

THE SPINNER. THE ALLOTTER. THE END.

The Fates observe, the Fates judge, but the Fates never act. Until now. When 6 inexplicably blue strings appear amongst their sea of red thread, they’ll have to weave a new story if they ever want to find an answer.

KLYTEMNESTRA. HELEN. IPHIGENIA. KHRYSOTHEMIS. ELEKTRA. KASSANDRA.

6 women connected through blood, war, and a curse. 6 women wrenched by the greed of men and the whims of fate. 6 women who must ask the question: is my life my own?

AMIDST BETRAYAL, MURDER, AND REVENGE,

These women must confront their destinies and make a stand. While the Fates desperately seek to understand the blue strings, the women sink to the depths of grief, sorrow, and rage. Will the string that connects them all strangle them in the end?

An homage to female rage, long pieces of string connect the performers at the wrist for most of the performance, causing them to tangle and untangle in a literalization of the oppression women face and the strings that the Fates weave. The strings become a character in their own right as the performers dance around their restrictions and breathe life into them. 

They Weave with String that Suffocates asks the questions “Is my destiny my own? Can I lift the curses placed upon me?” in an interrogation of free-will. It aims to shine light on those who Fate seems to have abandoned, and attempts to find some form of comfort amongst the pain. In a world where some people’s very existence causes them suffering, this show puts a spotlight on that unfairness and demands justice for those wronged. 

The show is surreal, with stark lighting designs, unusual visuals, and lyrical dialogue reminiscent of ancient Greek tragedy. It engages with Greek mythology through an innovative lens that bridges the time gap between ancient and modern worlds as well as an experimental structure that revolutionizes theatrical adaptations of myths. By redefining the paradigm of mythical tragedies onstage, the contentious autonomy and deep rage of women from the ancient world to today explodes in this surreal and physically inventive new work.

We’ve performed the show three times so far: twice through the University of East London’s new works festival in July 2024 and July 2025, and once more with the Lambeth Fringe Festival in October 2025. However, all of these performances have been works-in-progress. 

Now, the script has been updated, new creative team and cast members have been found, and we’re ready to debut the full-length performance in the professional theatre realm.

This is where you come in.

While we’re prepared to enter our rehearsal process, and have a venue lined up for December, we’re missing one thing: FUNDING.

That’s why we’re coming to you, audience of Crowdfunder! We need some more funds if we’re going to produce the best show we possibly can. Any amount helps, and we have some exciting rewards for those who can donate a little bit more to our cause!

Here are the benchmarks and rewards:

£10 - A Spot in the Show Guide

£25 - A Behind-the-Scenes Vlog

£50 - A Signed Poster

£75 - A Free Ticket to a Show

£100 - Your Future Read by the Fates

You also earn every reward beneath the amount you donated!

All proceeds go towards rehearsal room costs, props, costumes, set, and paying cast and creative team members. 

Please consider donating to help a group of young, passionate storytellers get their show the audience it deserves.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you have a great rest of your day!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd October 2026 at 2:00pm