A Twist of Lemon - Theatre performance and drama workshop

• 27/08/2008

Theatre performance and drama workshop: A Twist of Lemon
Performance date: Thursday 4 September
Venue: Sunderland Bangladeshi Community Centre

Hendon and the East End will play host to the first showing of ‘A Twist of Lemon’, the brand new production from the North East’s only professional women’s theatre company, Open Clasp Theatre Company.   

Sunderland’s New Deal for Communities regeneration programme, Back on the Map, has funded the performance, which is free of charge and open to women and girls over the age of 13. Written by Catrina McHugh and directed by Fiona McPherson, the play focuses on four North East women, whose characters were based on and informed by the real experiences shared by lesbians in drama workshops.  

Set on a holiday to the island of Lesvos, the play is a realistic depiction of what being a lesbian in the North East means today.

The play and the drama workshop are aimed at women from all areas of the community, those who are affected by the issues raised in the play as well as those that have no direct experience of these issues. The accompanying drama workshop enables the group to further explore the issues in the play, by interacting with the characters and each other as the issues are discussed and debated.  

Roma Yagnik, company development manager for Open Clasp said: “This play is a must-see, not only because it is a funny, touching and thoroughly entertaining show but because it shows the real impact of homophobia, heterosexism, homophobic bullying and same sex domestic violence to audiences who may have no experience of the issues as well as giving validation to those who have. 

“In a society where there is little realistic representation of lesbians, lesbian groups in the North East have worked with us through drama workshops to provide an accessible and creative way of promoting the visibility, validation and celebration of the lived experiences of lesbians and young lesbians in the region – we are proud to bring their characters to the stage.“ 

Carolynn Dixon, community engagement manager at Back on the Map, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Open Clasp Theatre Company to Hendon. The performance is not only exploring some important issues, but a performance from such a highly acclaimed group will be a great night out.”

For your free ticket to the performance, please contact Dan Smith at Back on the Map, on 0191 5666931 or email dsmith@backonthemap.org  Priority will be given to women from the Hendon and East End area of Sunderland. Food will be served from 5pm and the performance will start at 6pm. The drama workshop is scheduled to finish at around 9pm.  

Ends

Media contact:
Sarah Hudspeth, communications manager, Back on the Map, on 0191 5666936, mobile 07917 204725 or email shudspeth@backonthemap.org

Notes to editors:
Back on the Map manages the £54 million government-funded, community-led New Deal for Communities (NDC) regeneration programme in Sunderland's East End and Hendon. We are on a 10 year mission (2001 - 2011) to improve the area and local people's quality of life. Back on the Map is working hand-in-hand with residents and partner agencies to achieve this goal and create lasting change for today's and future generations.

We aim to:
*       boost education standards and encourage lifelong learning;
*       reduce crime and the fear of crime, and improve community safety;
*       provide decent homes in a safe and clean environment;
*       increase job and training opportunities;
*       improve the health and well-being of residents;
*       involve the whole of the community in everything we do.