RSACC to host award-winning Open Clasp Theatre Company’s ‘Lasagna’ in Darlington to raise vital funds
Darlington and County Durham’s specialist sexual violence charity RSACC (the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre) is hosting a fundraising event that brings the Open Clasp Theatre Company to Darlington, performing at the Forum on Monday March 20 2023.
The multi-award winning Open Clasp Theatre Company, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, places theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of disadvantaged women and girls. They collaborate with women and young women excluded by theatre and society to create bold and urgent theatre for personal, social and political change.
RSACC CEO, Isabel Owens commented:
“We’re very excited to be hosting Open Clasp – the first time RSACC has ever hosted a fundraising theatre event. Open Clasp is a remarkable theatre company and the projects they collaborate on reflect many of the challenges faced by women and girls in the North East.”
“They also show the power and strength of women supporting women – which we share and demonstrate every day in the support we give to survivors. We hope to attract RSACC supporters and theatre goers alike, for what will be an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening. And of course, hopefully raise some much needed funds for RSACC.
We are also delighted that we were able to receive a Darlington for Culture small grant to support the event.”
‘Lasagna’ is based on the true life experiences of women who have lost multiple children to the care system. It celebrates community, generosity and humanity. The play explores what would happen if a neighbour started to leave food on your doorstep. It’s set during the first national lockdown, when two women, both strangers, step out and across the line that divides them.
Writer and Open Clasp Artistic Director Catrina McHugh MBE, said:
“Over the last 25 years we have toured to communities throughout the North East as well as working nationally and internationally. We aim to influence those who make decisions, invest in communities and systems and through the theatre we co-create with women and girls, we agitate for basic human rights and real change.”
“We are so pleased to be back out on tour, our first since the pandemic, and it’s like coming home. We will perform Lasagna in community venues, prisons and youth & community centres, as well as mainstream theatres. By working in partnership with charities like RSACC, our aim is to reach all those who care, or who should care, about humanity.”
Lasagna stars Beth Crame as Sally (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Northern Stage) and Zoe Lambert as Jane (The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors, Royal Shakespeare Company).
The performance is being held at The Forum Music Centre, in Darlington on Monday March 20 2023 at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £14 and are available to purchase at The Forum: Lasagna (Open Clasp Theatre Company) – The Forum Music Centre (theforumonline.co.uk). All proceeds from the event will fund specialist counselling and support for survivors of sexual violence across Darlington and County Durham
Notes to Editors
RSACC offers a number of specialist and expert services to survivors, this includes an Emotional Support Line; 1-2-1 sexual violence counselling; an Independent Sexual Violence Advisory service to support survivors through the criminal justice system, a number of specialist peer groups as well as offering training to professionals. More information is available at www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk.
Open Clasp Theatre Company Open Clasp places theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of women and girls. We collaborate with women and young women excluded by theatre and society to create bold and urgent theatre for personal, social and political change. We often work directly with women who are affected by the criminal justice system in England in prisons and in community settings to produce theatre of the highest quality. This is then used to influence public opinion, train service providers and influence policy debates. Our work is supported by the women we work with, and the partnerships nurtured in the women’s sector, community organisations and academia. www.openclasp.org.uk