WOMAN ON FIRE is an original play that will take you into the fiery heart of one of the most dangerous women, in history. Ruthless terrorist or impassioned freedom fighter? This original, dynamic solo-performance is coming to The Swallow Theatre, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway in April.
2018 is the centenary year of the UK’s Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave SOME women the vote for the first time – women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification to vote. Women had to wait until 1928 to achieve the same voting rights as men. This year Woman On Fire will take you back in time to experience one suffragette’s fiery journey fighting for women’s right to vote.
Presented by award-winning company Certain Curtain Theatre, ‘WOMAN ON FIRE’ recounts the turbulent life and times of Mrs Edith Rigby – mild-mannered doctor’s wife, with a secret identity – that of arsonist, bomber and jujitsu-trained militant suffragette. Jailed six times she went on hunger strike to the point of starvation. Released, she went toe-to-toe in ferocious pitched battles with the police. Written and directed by John Woudberg and performed by Claire Moore (Lady In Red) the play presents both sides of this eccentric woman.
“The story of Edith Rigby remains largely unsung,” Says Claire, “She is best known for burning down Lord Leverhulme’s house in Rivington – But she was a woman of ‘firsts.’ She was the first woman, in Preston, to ride a bicycle – in bloomers! She founded one of the first branches of ‘The Women’s Social and Political Union’ and devoted her life to improving the lives of girls and women. She was shunned by neighbours but her fiery spirit was not easily dampened. Her story and the wider suffragette struggle is one worth sharing and I hope audiences agree.”
“I wanted to tell the story of the UK Suffrage cause through an unsung Suffragette’s eyes – to take the audience on her journey and let them ask themselves how far they might go for something they believe in?’ Says writer John ‘It’s a story that takes us from Preston to Manchester, London to Glasgow. We are also having an optional after-show discussion – so it will be wonderful to hear directly from our audiences on the night’
Venue: The Swallow Theatre, Whithorn
Date: 27th April
Time: 7.30pm (75mins plus optional aftershow discussion with the writer and performer)
Tickets: £13.50 BOOK ONLINE: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/swallowtheatre/book/event/76953
