Live stream: Key Change by Open Clasp
Join us from 25 November to 10 December to watch a live stream of Key Change, an all-female prison drama.
Broadcast as part of a global campaign to end violence against women Key Change is an all-female prison drama from Newcastle's Open Clasp Theatre Company. It's devised by female prisoners in HMP Low Newton and based on their real life experiences. Raw, powerful and funny, it's an illuminating portrayal of the lives of women in a British prison and is a unique opportunity to hear their voices.
The play will be streamed live on Saturday 25 November at 19:00 (GMT) and then available to watch on demand until Sunday 10 December.
The UK has one of the highest rates of women’s imprisonment in Western Europe. Over 50% of women in prison report having suffered domestic abuse, one in three has suffered sexual abuse and nearly 40% leave prison homeless.
The production explores some of these issues, showing the personal stories behind the statistics. It was commissioned by Dilly Arts, an arts development company that specialises in working with people in prison. It’s been performed at women’s prisons, toured to the Edinburgh Fringe and New York, and played to policy makers at the UK Houses of Parliament.
Key Change has strong language and adult themes, including domestic violence, abuse and drug use. It has been recommended for ages 13+ in the UK.
"A unique brand of hard hitting, thought provoking but very funny plays"
Jodi Earl, Cheryl Dixon, Jessica Johnson and Christina Berriman Dawson in Key Change
Open Clasps’s award winning work is informed by the lived experiences of marginalised women, rooted in the belief that theatre changes lives. Catrina Hughes, Artistic Director and the writer of Key Change, describes the company’s productions as a “unique brand of hard hitting, thought provoking but very funny plays which highlight the women as survivors rather than victims and honour their talent, courage and strength.” Hughes recently received an MBE for services to disadvantaged women through theatre.
Commissioned by The Space, this broadcast is supported by UN Women and coincides with the UN global campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls, an annual series of actions that aims to raise public awareness and mobilise people everywhere to bring about change.
Join the conversation on Twitter: #KeyChange
