Preview: Rattle Snake on tour

New play tackling coercive controlling domestic abuse from the makers of critically acclaimed prison drama Key Change

Open Clasp and Live Theatre in association with York Theatre Royal present:

Rattle Snake

Thursday 21^st - Saturday 30^th September 2017: Newcastle Live Theatre

Monday 2^nd October 2017: Rape Crisis @ Morpeth Town Hall

Tuesday 3^rd October 2017: Middlesbrough Teesside University

Wednesday 4^th October 2017: Sunderland Stages @ The Royalty Theatre

Thursday 5^th October 2017: Newcastle Riverside Community Health Project,

Thursday 12^th October 2017: Newcastle West End Women & Girls Centre

Friday 13^th October 2017: Durham University

Tuesday 17^th - Saturday 21^st October 2017: York Theatre Royal

Tuesday 24^th - Saturday 28^th October 2017: Soho Theatre, London

A sharp, moving and unflinching new play based on the real life stories of women who have faced and survived coercive control in domestic abuse, Rattle Snake is an epic tale and an exciting new co-production between Open Clasp and Live Theatre touring in autumn 2017.

The follow up to the critically-acclaimed Key Change, recipient of the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award and a New York Times Critics’ Pick, Rattle Snake is written by Catrina McHugh MBE and directed by Charlotte Bennett, associate director at Soho Theatre.

Coinciding with the change in UK law in 2015 making coercive control in relationships a crime, Rattle Snake was originally commissioned by Durham University and Durham Constabulary, funded by Durham PCVC and is used in the training of frontline police officers. PC Tony Miley was one of 398 officers at Durham Constabulary who took part in the training with Open Clasp. He said, “This was, by a country mile, the most engaging, impactful and thought provoking training session I have had in my fourteen year career in the police. Very emotive topic and excellently portrayed by the two tremendously talented actors - it blew my socks off!”

Catrina McHugh OBE with

Durham PCVC Ron Hogg

Photo: Mark Savage

Durham Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg said: “This play provided an innovative approach to training here in Durham. It provided front-line officers with a unique opportunity to learn through theatre, so that they would further understand coercive control in domestic abuse, and the day-to-day incidents which victims suffer though this appalling crime.”

As with Key Change which was created with women serving at HMP Low Newton in County Durham, Rattle Snake was inspired by the women who put their trust in Open Clasp to tell their stories. Writer and Artistic Director Catrina McHugh explains, “I’m at once delighted that Rattle Snake will reach a wider audience, feel the potential for change in the air and at the same time my heart aches with rage as the reality for so many women. Imagine a life where you live with your doors and windows locked, one where you can’t breathe the air of a free person, constantly looking over your shoulder, wondering if this day is the last for you and your children…..This is the reality of coercive control in domestic abuse. During the training officers sat in bullet proof vests daring us to make an impact and we did, now we take it to a national audience. It was a total honour to collaborate with the women who inspired the story. I believe that Rattle Snake is important theatre, it takes your breath away and will change lives.”

Christina Berriman-Dawson will play Suzy. Christina was one of the cast of four in Open Clasp’s hit play Key Change, and has also worked with Director Charlotte at Forward Theatre. Eilidh Talman, one of the original cast members in the police training sessions, will play Jen.

Charlotte Bennett - Photo Richard Davenport

Director Charlotte Bennett said, “I’m thrilled to be returning to work with Open Clasp again. Their commitment to representing marginalised women's voices makes them one of the most important theatre companies making work in the UK today and I feel honoured to be directing this new show which brings a voice to survivors of coercive control. I can't wait to share this story with audiences across the UK and shed an even bigger light on a company who deserve all the recognition they can get.”

Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer, Live Theatre added, “Following the success of Key Change at Live Theatre, Live Theatre is delighted to continue its long association with Open Clasp to present Rattle Snake, an important new play based on the true stories of women who have suffered and survived controlling relationships. We are delighted that this co-production will also tour to be seen by audiences at Theatre Royal York, and Soho Theatre, London.”

Rattle Snake will premiere at Live Theatre in Newcastle (21-30 Sept, 2017) before transferring to York Theatre Royal (17-21 October) and Soho Theatre, London (23-28 October, with more tour dates to be confirmed. For more information visit www.openclasp.org.uk

Creative team

Writer: Catrina McHugh

Director: Charlotte Bennett

Designer: Anna Reid

Cast

Suzy: Christina Berriman Dawson

Jen: Eilidh Talman

Tour & Ticket details:

• Thursday 21^st - Saturday 30^th September 2017: Live Theatre, Newcastle www.live.org.uk / 0191 232 1232
• Monday 2^nd October 2017: Rape Crisis @ Morpeth Town Hall rattlesnakerctn.eventbrite.co.uk
• Tuesday 3^rd October 2017: Teesside University, Middlesbrough 01642 738232
• Wednesday 4^th October 2017: Sunderland Stages @ The Royalty Theatre https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/391495  / 0191 561 3455
• Thursday 5^th October 2017: Riverside Community Health Project, Newcastle 0191 226 0754
• Thursday 12^th October 2017: West End Women & Girls Centre, Newcastle 0191 273 4942
• Friday 13^th October 2017: Durham University
• Tuesday 17^th - Saturday 21^st October 2017: York Theatre Royal yorktheatreroyal.co.uk / 01904 623568
• Tuesday 24^th - Saturday 28^th October 2017: Soho Theatre, London sohotheatre.com / 020 7478 0100