This Wide Night is a tender portrayal of two women trying to start over. On release from prison, Lorraine heads straight to Marie's. They used to share everything inside, but find the friendship that once protected them now threatens to smother the fragile freedom they have found. The performances will take place at Live Theatre Newcastle on 17 & 18 September, Drum Theatre, Plymouth from 23 to 27 September, Prison tour from 29 September to 10 October.
Chloe Moss joins a wealth of leading female playwrights to be commissioned by Clean Break, an acclaimed company which works with women affected by the criminal justice system and uses theatre for personal and political change. Her play opens at Soho Theatre prior to dates in Newcastle, Plymouth and a tour of women's prisons. The run at Soho Theatre is accompanied by a post-show discussion and performances of work by professional writers and a former Clean Break student.
Chloe wrote the play after spending time in Cookham Wood prison (which has since been re-rolled as a young offenders' institution for young men), conducting writing workshops and speaking to women one-on-one. During this process, Chloe became interested in the experiences of long-serving offenders, how vital their friendships are, and what life is like for women resettling into society after release.
"After working in HMP Cookham Wood, I had enough material to write 50 different plays. I decided to concentrate on two aspects: the uniqueness of relationships formed in prison - and if they are able to exist in another context; and resettlement – particularly of women who have spent a long time in prison and who are released at a point in their lives when starting afresh can feel like a very hopeless prospect." Chloe Moss
Clean Break was founded in 1979 by two women in prison. The company now delivers a year-round programme of theatre productions, new writing projects and drama-based education from its North London studios and in women's prisons alongside professional development, training and advocacy. Each year the company commissions a new play, described as "one of the toughest gigs a female playwright can get" (Daily Telegraph). Previous writers commissioned by the company include, Tanika Gupta, Zinnie Harris, Lin Coghlan, Bryony Lavery, Rebecca Prichard and Winsome Pinnock. Naomi Wallace and Lucy Kirkwood are currently under commission. -- www.sohotheatre.com
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