World Premiere: I Hate Men as Read by Men

Daniel Stoddart

The feminist book they tried to ban in France becomes a must-see theatrical experience.

Stoddart Entertainment Group (SEG) is proud to present I HATE MEN As Read By Men, a bold, funny, and unapologetic stage adaptation of French feminist Pauline Harmange’s internationally discussed essays, I Hate Men.

Part bedtime story, part pub yarn, this theatrical event puts Harmange’s sharp, witty words into the mouths of the very men she wrote about - performed by straight, cis, white, middle-aged men. Endorsed by the author, the work has already sparked debate worldwide and now bursts onto the stage as a genre-busting mix of theatre, satire, and social commentary.

“I find the idea of my work being performed by men really exciting,” says Harmange. “It’s a brilliant Trojan horse to make more men listen.”

Developed by SEG, the production uses humour, irony, and musical interludes - including feminist classics like You Don’t Own Me, Respect, and I Am Woman - to challenge audiences and provoke conversation about gender, privilege, and complicity.

“We want audiences to walk out laughing, unsettled, and thinking,” says Daniel Stoddart, Executive Producer. “Pauline Harmange’s writing is bold, sharp, and deliberately provocative. By placing those words in the mouths of the men they interrogate, under the direction of a powerful female creative voice, we’re creating a theatrical experience that feels playful, dangerous, and necessary. It’s not about comfort; it’s about conversation. We want people talking about power, privilege, complicity, and the role art can play in challenging what we’d rather not look at.”

Full of wit, banter, cheek and power, this is a theatrical event that dares to challenge, entertain and ignite conversation. The creative team will bring an irreverent wit and world-class artistry, leaning on Aussie ‘bloke’ stereotypes to contrast the sharp intelligence and unapologetic power of feminist thought. It’s a live experience that’s equal parts lecture, revelation, stand-up comedy, pub covers gig, and cultural cleanse.

Whether you love men, hate them, or simply live among them, I HATE MEN As Read By Men promises to make you laugh, squirm, and think long after the curtain falls. Premiering at the Newcastle Fringe Festival next March, with a view to touring it to Edinburgh Fringe later in 2026, this bold new work is likely to be just as controversial as the essays on which it is based.