Domestic Abuse
Because of the boundaries teachers and pupils must maintain to get the most out of their teaching and learning, we believe that Footlights has an important role to play in connecting with young people in ways that teachers are not able to.
We use REAL stories and can open up awkward conversations about sharing nudes, being in unhealthy relationships, how to have self worth and how to recognise signs of possible Domestic Abuse.
The Package
We are offer a performance, a 60 minute workshop and a 15 minute questions and answers session.
The Performance
The play is completely verbatim, it follows five characters, some of whom the abuse started when they were a child and through their teens. Whilst the play is not entirely ‘young people’ focused, it will help them to recognise the signs of domestic abuse in their own homes. This has proven to have an effect on their ideas of ‘Healthy Relationships’. See what the Producer and Director say below,
“We hope to make people more aware of the triggers and the consequences of domestic violence through the voices of those most closely affected by it” Jo explains. “This is a subject that we’re often unaware of until situations become untenable. Even then, the authorities are not always set up to deal with the victims or the perpetrators.”
Director Alan Pattison says “And Then You Kissed Me’ explores the harrowing and shocking subject of domestic violence. The women and men whose accounts we hear are all real. Victims, perpetrators, the police and therapists are all given the opportunity to tell their stories. Whilst the material is overwhelmingly hard to comprehend, out of the bleakness of many of these lives and experiences comes a spirit of survival and a will to change circumstances forever”
Target Age Group
As the play contains some adult themes and language it is designed for Year 9 and upwards. However, we can tailor this work for younger students.
Contact Us
If you’d like more information, such as how to book the play and worksops, fill out the form on the right or email jo@footlightstheatre.co.uk or aaron@footlightstheatre.co.uk
Background to this work
In 2014, we spent a year researching the play; we interviewed survivors and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse. We explored the different types of abuse including psychological, physical, financially, coercive, and sexual abuse. We then spent months using their word for word accounts to write and produce a professional performance presenting a balanced view of female and male perspectives.
In 2015 the resulting play ‘And Then You Kissed Me’ was staged at The Lowry theatre in Salford.
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