North East play returns to Newcastle stages this week, after being mentioned in Parliament
A play, which began life in a Newcastle theatre - before being mentioned in Parliament - is returning to the North East, with a new run at Northern Stage Theatre.
A play, which began life in a Newcastle theatre - before being mentioned in Parliament - is returning to the North East, with a new run at Northern Stage Theatre.
No. 9 explores the aftermath of sexual assault, and its impacts on victims, as well as how it's dealt with by society, using humour to tell a story inspired by one, very real event.
The show will have support from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, who will offer support to people during and after the performances.
It's been written by Anna Robinson, who, in the year since the show launched at Alphabetti, has become a UN Representative for Women.
The play had a sold out run at Alphabetti Theatre in Newcastle last year, telling the story of Uni first year student Rosa, who "needs to learn how to use a washing machine, buy her own groceries, get up for uni on time and….. how to report a sexual assault."
After the show was seen, at Alphabetti, by Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, who then mentioned it in The House Of Commons, as part of a debate on sexual assault on International Women's Day 2022.
Anna tells us what it was like hearing her work mentioned on a national scale:
"A dream I didn't know I had, come true!
"But that is a massive thing to happen, and I think Number 9 is totally capable of those big changes, but I think really for us it's important that an audience member who has seen it - for them to think about it when someone turns around to them and says 'I've been through this'".
Anna also hopes the audience still find the same message in the play:
"The really important thing is for them to feel seen and heard, and supported - and feel like people are having those conversations;
"And we understand what's happening here."
On the Friday, there will be a post-show discussion with panellists including Samantha Jones; deputy CEO of Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, Zoe Mitchell; who is a research assistant at Northumbria Uni, on sexual violence and policing, as well as Anna, director Paula Penman and actor Lauren Waine.
Then on the Saturday night, Paula will be DJing in the theatre's foyer after the show, which Anna says she hopes will make it "a proper event and a real celebration."
Anna tells us it will be a magical moment to see her work at Northern Stage:
"It's like a childhood dream come true, to be honest, I've grown up in that building...
"My parents decided they were in love in the car park!
"So I feel like it's been in my DNA to have a show on at Northern Stage."
You can find out more about No. 9 and its appearances at Northern Stage online, or on social media.
You can also find support and help about sexual assault at any point from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland (RCTN) is a charity that provides services to women and girls who live, work or study in Tyneside and Northumberland.
"We are completely independent of the criminal justice system including the police. Our services are free and confidential.
"We are here for women and girls over 13 who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.
"We are for all women including, but not limited to, women who identify as Lesbian, Bi, Trans and/or Questioning; Black and Minoritised women, Refugee women; and disabled women. Our definition of women-only includes Trans women and non-binary people who identify that women’s services are right for them."