Open Clasp: Theatre for Social Change

Explore seven filmed performances from Open Clasp whose challenging and compelling work speaks to issues facing women and girls today and especially those in the prison system. These plays were co-created by women otherwise excluded by theatre and society.

Open Clasp have performed their plays in theatres, prisons, schools, conferences, and community centres. The work resonates deeply in the communities where it is created as well as ensuring that outside these communities the under-represented are seen in a new light.

This collection features the following filmed performances:

Audio-described (AD) versions and British Sign Language (BSL) versions of some films are available.

• Rattle Snake AD BSL
  An epic tale based on real-life stories of women who have faced and survived coercive controlling domestic abuse.
• Mycelial AD
  An underground community of sex workers scattered across the globe stand together in their fight for justice.
• Sugar AD
  A probation office, a prison cell, a homeless shelter. Three women all ‘doing time’ in very different ways.
• Us Too: Alisha’s Story AD BSL
  Created with and for the women from #UsToo who have experience of reporting rape and sexual assault.
• Key Change AD
  Carries the voices of imprisoned women over the razor wire in a raw, illuminating, yet funny portrayal.
• Lasagna AD
  It’s the first national lockdown and two women, both strangers, step out and across the line that divides them.
• Rupture AD BSL
  There is a code blue: Destiny escapes onto a prison roof. It’s bonfire night, the country is exploding, and so is Destiny.

Image credits:
Keith Pattison (left and middle images); picturesbybish.com (right image)
Rupture: Topher McGrillis