Hurried Steps is a powerful piece of documentary theatre
It is a play followed by a discussion between the audience and a panel.
Eight stories have been written by the acclaimed Italian playwright Dacia Maraini in association with Amnesty International, using real testimonies. There is a UK story written especially for our production.
The play is performed in a powerful, stark style and following the show a panel of local field workers lead a discussion about the cause and effects of domestic violence. They describe the local support service and how it can be accessed.
Our March tour is timed to coincide with International Women’s Day and is free for most of the audiences. We will reach a wide audience and the venues are in the South East and Lancashire.
The subject is still taboo in many communities and the lively post-show discussions bring the issue out into the open. This tour is an opportunity to bring the issue into mainstream venues.
The feedback from audiences in community centres, universities and studio theatres has been very positive: “Very moving and poignant” “It gave personal voices to a very widespread issue and I feel more strongly about the issues raised now.”
“It made me sad and angry that we still have this injustice in the 21st century”
Some UK statistics are:
“One in five women (19%) and one in ten men (10%) reported that they had experienced physical force by a partner or former partner at some time since age 16.”
“Homicide: On average, two women a week are killed by a violent partner or ex-partner. This constitutes nearly 40% of all female homicide victims.”
“Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.”
The backers will contribute to a show that has already had enormous impact and will enable it be seen by hundreds of people. If they agree then they will be credited on our website and in our programme, they will have free tickets, they will be part of our Hurried Steps community. We look forward to getting to know them over drinks at our London Gig on March 9th or at any of the other out-of-London venues.