Act One
Capacity to Hold - written and performed by Phoebe Foxtrot
Note from the writer: Throughout history we have seen women depicted in art as vessels, because of their ability to bear children. Capacity to Hold is a colourful cheerlead of all the incredible things that those who identify as women hold within them: not just babies! We are so much more. The words in this piece have been collected from over 50 generous women, through an online survey and chats over tea and cake. Join me in reclaiming the vessel metaphors by contributing what you hold within you, by popping a note in the teapot in the bar.
The American Bureau for the Afterlife - written by Chloe McLaughlin, performed by Frankie Lipman, Jess Gough, Katiebelle Lacey-Allen, Beth Nixon, Emmy Kay, Esh Alladi and Lucy Hilton-Jones
A Note from the writer: Roe V Wade refers to the landmark legal ruling that made abortion legal in all US states in 1973. It ensured all women could obtain an abortion in the first trimester and while some states still had governmental say in the second and third trimesters, Roe v Wade ensured a woman could have an abortion at any stage in her pregnancy if it would save her life or health. However, earlier this year Roe v Wade was overturned meaning US states can now choose to ban abortion. Abortion is now banned in 11 states.
Lawrence v Texas was another landmark legal in the US which banned punishment for same-sex sexual activity in every state in the USA. The court said that the Constitution protects the right of gay people to form intimate relationships and ‘retain their dignity as free persons’.
Take Back My Body - written by Nasima Begum, performed by Zoe Iqbal
Don't Look Back in Carlos - written by Peter Keeley, performed by Peter Keeley and Leon Tagoe
Chelsea Taylor - written and performed by Lauren-Nicole Mayes
There Are Eyes Everywhere - written and performed by Isabella Manning
Steel Town Butcher - written by Ian Kershaw, performed by James Quinn, Sushil Chudasama and Lauren-Nicole Mayes
Note from the writer:
'Ant & Dec Are Mass Murderer Apologists'
Murder isn't entertainment
They put Matt Hancock in the jungle
Murder isn't entertainment
They put Matt Hancock in the jungle
Act Two
The Search for a Wholly Blameless Victim - written by Rebekah Harrison, performed by James Quinn, Louise McNulty, Leon Tagoe and Danielle Henry
Untitled - written by Hannah Ellis-Ryan, performed by Elizabeth Twells
Yellow Fever - written by Naomi Sumner Chan, performed Ivy Chui and Simon Naylor
Burning - written by Jasmin Mandi-Ghomi, performed by Saba Amini
A Note from the writer: On September 16 2022, Mahsa Jina Amini died after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for incorrectly wearing the hijab. Her murder sparked the largest protests that Iran has ever seen, led mostly by young women desperate for freedom from the oppressive regime. Those protests are still going on today.
The Date - written and performed by Alice Christina Corrigan
A Whistle Stop Tour of Annie and Adela - written and performed by Adela Mortimer and Annie Wallace
A Note from the writers: ‘Trans’ is everywhere in the media these days, but the conversation usually excludes trans people, and often descends into lies, pejorative terminology and hysteria. Annie and Adela bring this ‘debate’ home, with absolute, personal truths.
Gillick competence is a term originating in England and Wales in 1985 and is used in medical law to decide whether a child (a person under 16 years of age) is able to consent to their own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge.
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that allows people who have gender dysphoria to change their legal gender. It came into effect on 4 April 2005.
The Equality Act 2010 consolidated a number of similar acts protecting against discrimination based on a person's nationality and citizenship and also extending individuals' rights in areas of life beyond the workplace in religion or belief, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
Hilda - written by Debbie Oates, performed by Isobel Middleton
1988 UK: ‘Section 28’, by law a local authority "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship"
The harm done of this law and the debates around it to the mental health of young LGBT people in its wake, has been well documented.
“Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay.” Margaret Thatcher, 1987
The law was repealed in Scotland in 2000, the rest of the UK in 2003.
2022 US: ‘Parental Rights in Education Act’, Florida State law prohibits "classroom instruction" on sexual orientation or gender identity” in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards".
Described as the "Don't Say Gay" law it is being used to prohibit education about the LGBT community, LGBT history, and LGBT rights in early grades and restricting such education in a manner that is deemed to be ‘against state standards’ in all grades.
34 years on, here we are. Again.
All pieces directed by Kate Colgrave-Pope and Julie Hesmondhalgh
Produced by Grant Archer, Becx Harrison and Julie Hesmondhalgh
Technical support - Kelsea Knox
