North East Theatre Guide: Preview: Key Change On Tour

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National tour for

2015 Best of Edinburgh award-winner

Key Change

28^th October 2016 - Gala Theatre, Durham

26^th November 2016 - Arts Centre, Washington

8^th – 10^thDecember 2016 -Live Theatre, Newcastle

Photo: Keith Pattison

After playing to sell-out audiences at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe and three weeks Off-Broadway in New York earlier this year, Open Clasp’s critically-acclaimed Key Change will go on a national tour this autumn from 24 October - 10 December to 15 venues across the UK including Durham, Washington and Newcastle.

Photo: Keith Pattison

What do women in prison say to a captured audience of men? Devised by women in HMP Low Newton Key Change is a unique opportunity to hear their voices. Honest, powerful, and very funny, Key Change is a raw and illuminating portrayal of the lives of women in prison.

“Exquisite” ★★★★The Guardian

“A touching, empowering work” ★★★★★The Stage

“A remarkable production” ★★★★ The Observer

“A moving, intimate and superbly acted drama” New York Times Critics’ Pick

Photo: Keith Pattison

The play originally toured to male prisons before moving audiences and critics at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe and going on to win the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award with a New York premiere in January 2016, receiving a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Open Clasp also presented the show in women’s high- security prisons in both Edinburgh and New York State.

Photo: Keith Pattison

Writer and Open Clasp Artistic Director Catrina McHugh said, “Our aim is to change the world one play at a time, winning the Best of Edinburgh award changed ours. The response to Key Change, both at the Fringe and internationally, and in the prisons we’ve visited, has been overwhelming but the success of this project is down to the collaboration with women from Low Newton prison so I thank each and every woman who put their trust in us to tell their stories.”

Key Change was part of the Northern Stage at Summerhall programme at the Edinburgh Fringe, hosting work from both established and emerging artists to showcase the finest work from the North of England at the world’s largest international arts festival.

The national tour opens at Battersea Arts Centre on 24 October and ends at Newcastle’s Live Theatre from 8-10 December. For more information or to book tickets visit www.openclasp.org.uk

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