Co-created with women with learning disabilities who have experience of reporting sexual assault and domestic violence to the police, Open Clasp Theatre Company will release Us Too: Alisha’s Story online on Saturday 3 December, the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Co-created with women with learning disabilities who have experience of reporting sexual assault and domestic violence to the police, Open Clasp Theatre Company will release Us Too: Alisha's Story online on Saturday 3 December, the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Research* shows that people with learning disabilities are at higher risk of sexual abuse, that women with learning disabilities are particularly vulnerable, and when women with learning disabilities report sexual violence to the police, their reports are less likely to result in a conviction. Durham University, with Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, and Northumbria Police, also found that the criminal justice system creates barriers to justice for people with learning disabilities or autism when reporting rape and sexual assault.
Commissioned by Durham University and Sunderland University, Us Too: Alisha’s Story was co-created by Open Clasp Theatre Company and women from Us Too, a group with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced domestic abuse. The women were supported by the Association for Real Change (ARC UK), a national charity supporting providers of Learning Disability and Autism services.
Holly Wilkinson plays Alisha in her first professional acting role. A brain injury survivor with autism, Holly says, “I responded to the casting call for disabled actors because I don't think that there is enough representation of disabled performers within the acting industry, which is something that really needs to change in my view. Performers with disabilities need to be seen and heard! Meeting the women from the ARC #UsToo group was powerful and very emotional; they should be applauded for their courage and resilience in the face of massive injustice and adversity. They raised their voices and made themselves heard through the power of theatre and film. It is really exciting to be a part of this journey and really humbling to think that this film will go on to help other women and girls in similar situations."
In 2022, Open Clasp launched their Workforce Development Programme, which saw the company collaborate with four writers new to the company for the first time. Us Too: Alisha's Story is Julie Tsang’s writing debut for Open Clasp Theatre Company. Julie is an award-winning writer, a recipient of the John Mather Trust Rising Star Award with the National Theatre of Scotland and won Scotland’s Short Play Award. Her plays have been performed at Oxford Playhouse, Theatre 503, Soho theatre, Tron theatre, Lyceum theatre and the Pleasance theatre. Her play The Family Unit was selected for the Women Playwrights International Conference in Montreal 2022. Julie has been selected on writing programmes with Oliver Lansley’s (Les Enfants Terribles) WildChild, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Children's BBC. She currently developing a TV series and has written a short film which she will direct when it goes into production next year. Julie's work reflects themes on mixed heritage, identity, loss and family conflict. She said, “I feel very privileged to have worked with the Us Too group which led to the collaborative creation of 'Alisha's Story'."
Director Katja Roberts is Creative Director of the award-winning Meerkat Films, who have collaborated with Open Clasp on theatre to film projects including Sugar for BBC iPlayer. Us Too: Alisha's Story is Katja’s directorial debut for Open Clasp. She says, “It's emotional. It makes you rage but also, I just feel huge admiration for the women, the way it was combined by Julie (the writer) into a singular voice, a collective story told in such a powerful way and for Holly (the actor) to carry it. I have hope and excitement about what change it' s going to bring." One of the co-creators from Us Too added, "I feel strong and empowered that we are helping other women".
Driven by a passionate belief that theatre can bring about social change, Catrina McHugh co-founded Open Clasp in 1998. The company places theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of women and girls, collaborating with women and young women excluded by theatre and society to create bold and urgent theatre for personal, social and political change. In 2017, Catrina was awarded an MBE for outstanding services to disadvantaged women through theatre. She says, “Even before the pandemic we had moved online, capturing work on film, streaming across worlds and continents. We could see the impact and reach when theatre meets film. This commission joins our catalogue of work, theatre that raises its fist and demands an end to violence against women and girls.”
Us Too: Alisha’s Story was co-created to effect change and to develop inclusive criminal justice responses to sexual violence. The film will be used in an Economic and Social Research Council (ESCR) funded project to develop criminal justice practice in Durham in 2023. As with previous project, Rattlesnake which was used to train frontline officers in recognising coercive control, a skilled team from Open Clasp will use the film to train 200 police officers at Durham Constabulary in April and May next year.
Co-lead researcher Dr. Helen Williams, BA (Hons.), MA, PhD, SFHEA, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Programme Leader for MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing at the University of Sunderland said, "It's hard hitting because it is truth, that story is truth. I feel bonded to the women it's a special sort of bravery and to speak those words. It's been a privilege.”
Watch Us Too: Alisha's Story online from 3-10 December, 2022. British Sign Language and subtitles are available. Book tickets at www.openclasp.org.uk
*research by Jobe & Williams et al 2020
Listings information
Open Clasp Theatre Company presents:
Us Too: Alisha's StoryAvailable online 3-10 December 2022, tickets from £1Written by Julie Tsang in collaboration with women from #UsTooDirected by Katja RobertsWritten by Julie Tsang and directed by Katja Roberts, Us Too: Alisha’s Story was made with and for the women from #UsToo, a group with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced domestic abuse. When asked what outcome they wanted, they answered: to be heard.Recommended age: 13+ British Sign Language and subtitles available.
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