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June 2024
Uneasy Allies: Women’s Role in Sacriston, Durham during the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike
The 1984/85 miners’ strike stands as a pivotal moment in British history, marked by resilience, solidarity, and sacrifice. Yet, amidst the narratives of courage and struggle, the vital role played by women during those tumultuous times sometimes remains overlooked. This is no different for the village of Sacriston, nestled in the heart of Durham’s mining […]
On her way to the Fringe: when Me For You’s Rachel E. Thorn met John Heywood
The marketing for Rachel E. Thorn’s new play Me For You has the opening line “Choosing sperm is weird. The one thing we know for sure is these guys are all wankers.” So I knew speaking to her was definitely not going to be dull. In the realm of creativity, there are those who wait […]
Cheryl Martin on Sanctuary and why theatre can play an important role in amplifying the voices of refugees and asylum seekers
I didn’t choose Sanctuary for my first production as Red Ladder’s Artistic Director, I inherited Boff Whalley’s and Sarah Woods’ brilliant and compelling new musical from my predecessor, Rod Dixon. But even though I didn’t choose this play, which tells the story of a young Iranian man whose plea to be given sanctuary at a […]
Exploring Identity and Mental Health through Theatre: A Conversation with BI-TOPIA’s Sam Danson
A highlight of Red Ladder Local this June is the production BI-TOPIA, an “honest and raw but extremely funny coming-of-age story” that explores the complexities of being bisexual, delving into the often-overlooked connections between poor mental health and masculinity as well as sexuality. I had the pleasure of speaking with the show’s writer/performer, Sam Danson, […]
