Award
Winning Drama Returns
Open
Clasp and Live Theatre present:
Rattle
Snake 2018 UK tour
New play tackling coercive controlling domestic
abuse from the makers of critically-acclaimed prison drama Key Change
A sharp, moving and unflinching play based on the
real life stories of women who have faced and survived coercive controlling
domestic abuse, Rattle Snake opens at Soho Theatre, 8-19 May before a national
tour.
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| Photo Keith Pattison |
The follow up to the
critically-acclaimed Key Change, winner of the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of
Edinburgh Award, The Best
New Writing Award from the North East Theatre Guide 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.
 |
| Photo Keith Pattison |
Coinciding with the change in UK law in 2015 making
coercive control in relationships a crime, Rattle Snake was originally
developed as part of a training programme for frontline police officers in Durham.
Durham Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner Ron
Hogg said: “This play was 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.”
 |
| Photo Keith Pattison |
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 MBE explains, “Rattle Snake was created by
Open Clasp to train frontline police officers in Co. Durham in better
responding to sexual and domestic abuse, coinciding with the change in UK law
in 2015 making coercive control in relationships a crime. Officers sat in
bullet proof vests, daring us to make an impact and we did. During its premier in
2017, an audience member said they had never felt such a visceral response to a
show before, a collective intake of breath, unable to turn away or to predict
what was next. This play matters because we find ourselves in 2018, living in a
world where some still feel a sense of entitlement to take away another
person’s liberty, to control, threaten and annihilate. Live Theatre and Open
Clasp will now take this show to audiences across the UK, with change at its
heart.”
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| Photo Keith Pattison |
As part of the tour, Open Clasp is urging audiences
to take action by visiting their website (www.openclasp.org.uk)
to download their Action Toolkit, suggesting ways to join the conversation and
help to combat violence against women and girls.
Christina Berriman-Dawson will play Suzy. Christina
was one of the cast of four in Open Clasp’s hitplay Key Change, and has also
worked with Director Charlotte Bennett at Forward Theatre. Eilidh Talman, one
of the original cast members in the police training sessions, will play Jen.
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| Photo Keith Pattison |
Director Charlotte Bennett said, “Rattle Snake is a
thrilling and unsettling show which highlights the impact of coercive control
on victims who no longer want to be victims but who continue to be trapped by
their circumstances. It gives these women a voice and opens up a conversation
about an element of domestic abuse which is widely unrecognised and seemingly
‘invisible.’ I am incredibly proud of what this show evokes in our audiences;
the frustration and injustice it often makes them feel and the potential this
show has to create a genuine attitude change towards a complex and vital
subject.”
 |
| Photo Keith Pattison |
Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer, Live Theatre
added, “Live Theatre is delighted to continue its long association with Open
Clasp to bring back Rattle Snake, a brilliant and important play which shook
audiences to their core on its tour in 2017. Based on the true stories of women
who have suffered and survived controlling relationships, this play returns at
a pivotal moment where vital conversations about how to challenge coercive
control, harassment and abuse are happening worldwide. We stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with Open Clasp to present this beautiful piece of theatre,
touring to Soho Theatre, London and reaching audiences (including police
officers) nationally at community venues.”
Rattle Snake will open at Soho Theatre in London
(8-19 May, 2018) before touring to venues including Theatre Deli, Sheffield (29
May), Gala Theatre, Durham (30 May) and Live Theatre, Newcastle (5-9 June), and
to community venues, with more tour dates to be confirmed. For more information
visit www.openclasp.org.uk.
Creative
Team:
Writer Catrina McHugh MBE
Director Charlotte Bennett
Designer Anna Reid
Sound designer Roma Yagnik
Lighting designer Ali Hunter
Cast:
Suzy: Christina Berriman Dawson
Jen: Eilidh Talman
Age
Recommendation: 15+
Tour
dates:
5-9 June, Newcastle
Live Theatre, https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/rattle-snake-0
Plus community venues
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