New production from Open Clasp Theatre Company co-created with women in HMP Low Newton, Durham
· Touring the North East 5 – 18 March
· Press Night: 6 March
A new show co-created with mothers in prison is going on tour across the North East next month, joining the call to action for significant change for women affected by the criminal justice system.
From the multi-award-winning theatre company behind New York Times Critics’ Pick Key Change and Sugar on BBC iPlayer, Rupture, is an hour long, one-woman show about the experiences of mothers in prison.
The character, Destiny, escapes onto the prison roof, and for the first time she sees it all, the prison, life before and beyond the razor wire.
The audience will discover for themselves how deep the threads of systematic and societal failures on women in prison go and watch as Destiny decides to take back control.
The play was co-created with mothers in HMP Low Newton – with the writer, Catrina McHugh MBE, writing in response to a series of workshops as part of the Parental Rights in Prison project with NEPACS – a North East charity supporting families affected by the prison or care system – and Durham University.
In England and Wales, women account for around 4% of the prison population, around 60% are mothers (PRT, 2022). It is estimated that over 17,000 children per year are affected by maternal imprisonment (Kincaid et al., 2019).
Catrina says: “Rupture is a great example of how the arts can be used to challenge perceptions around incarcerated women.
“We have been co-creating theatre with women in prison for over 10 years and are committed to the community of people who are incarcerated in this country as talented theatre makers with voices which need to be heard and as our audience.
“We are proud to have created such a compelling piece of theatre, which explores the harsh realities of prison life for women and particularly, incarcerated mothers.”
In September, Open Clasp Theatre Company was awarded the Ruth Cranfield Certificate of Excellence for Rupture, in recognition of the project’s contribution to rehabilitation.
The award recognised Open Clasp’s partnership with NEPACS – a North East charity supporting families affected by the prison or care system – as well as the Criminal Justice, Social Harm and Inequalities Research Group at Durham University.
Catrina highlights the collaboration and the significant work with Dr. Kate O’Brien and Dr. Hannah King from the Criminal Justice, Social Harm, and Inequalities Research Group at Durham University.
They are nationally recognised academics working with and researching the experiences of men and women in prison in the UK and co-directors of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Programme at Durham University,
“Over ten workshops, we used drama techniques to create a safe space for open discussion and debate amongst women in HMP Low Newton, who created the character Destiny,” Catrina explains.
“The process is democratic and builds power, the women work creatively on their feet, pulling on their lived experiences. The women spent each session asking and answering questions. Many had never talked with other women and mothers who had lost their children to the care system or who were at risk of having their children taking into care, so it was a powerful experience.”
She added: “We have had a fantastic reaction to the play from the co-creators, with one woman saying “thank you” for listening to and “really hearing our experiences.” Another said: “That’s prison in 60 mins. I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom at the end.”
The play hopes to demonstrate that mothers who are incarcerated need information, support, counselling and, importantly, hope.
Catrina says: “Rupture calls for empathy, for others to step into their shoes just for that hour, think, reflect – to look up and through the walls of prison and see the women.
“Rupture was co-created with mothers in prison who, not only share their own stories, but as Destiny stands on the prison roof top, a mirror is held – as the world moves and turns on its axis, do you choose to see or turn away.”
Dr Kate O’Brien of Durham University says: “Our research has highlighted the devastating impacts that a prison sentence can have on mothers who are separated from their children.
“There is a pressing need for us to collectively explore how we can bring about change and Open Clasp’s powerful new show, Rupture, is a vehicle that will help us achieve this.”
Audience members who have seen the play have suggested they feel it is important for social workers, counsellors and mental health practitioners to see the show, as well as Ministers, HMPSS and the current government of the day.
One said: “It provides a provocative insight into the plight of UK society’s support networks.”
Another remarked: “Absolutely incredible. Powerful and insightful. I feel I know so much more about the experiences of mothers in prison. As always with Open Clasp, there is a spirit of fight, togetherness and love.”
Rupture will open at Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne (5-8 March, 2025) before touring to venues across the North East including Gala Theatre, Durham (12 March), ARC, Stockton (13 March), West End Women and Girls Centre (15 March) and to prisons HMP Low Newton, HMP Askham Grange and HMP Deerbolt. For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.openclasp.org.uk/productions/rupture-2/
