Latest News:

Open Clasp are inviting the communities we work with to give your views on what issues you think we should be looking at with the new production. At the moment we have been requested to look at adoption, what happens after and the issue of sexual exploitation of young women in our region. Please feel free to ring the office on 0191 230 1698 or email to give your views.

Click here to read our latest newsletter. Just email us if you want to be added to the mailing list.

We're delighted that Tonic was a finalist for the Journal Culture Awards 2007 in the category of Performance of the Year.

We've added a links page to our website. Click here to see it. Its by no means complete yet, so please let us know what else you'd like to see here. Email us with your suggestions.

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Latest Tour News:

A Twist of Lemon (touring September 2008)

Butch Jackie wants a holiday, so four women set off to the island of Lesvos. However a lost suitcase, along with a white knuckle ride on the resorts banana boat not only put one woman’s back out but results in the women having a major fallout. 

Set against the backdrop of adversity A Twist of Lemon highlights the courage, strength and humility of young lesbians and lesbians living in the North East and gives audiences a rare opportunity to witness the stories of a minority that, in the main part, are invisible to the rest of society. Like heterosexuals they fall in and out of love, experience the trials and tribulations of bringing up children, but their lives bare the imprint of a world where they, and their children, experience prejudice and discrimination. It takes time for change, but how slow does this clock have to tick? Open Clasp say its time to wind it up.

A Twist of Lemon - Tour Dates:

This production is aimed at audiences who are 13yrs +

Thursday 04 September – 6pm - Women only

Bangladeshi Community Centre, 30 Tatham Street, Hendon, Sunderland

Contact – Back on the Map, Dan Smith - 0191 566 6931

Or email dsmith@backonthemap.org

With accompanying drama workshop

Please note – this event is for East End and Hendon residents only.

 

 Monday 08 September – 7.30pm - Women only - BSL Interpreter

Supported by Queerbeats

Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne

Box Office – 0191 232 1232

Website – www.myspace.com/queerbeatsfestival and www.live.org.uk

 

Tuesday 09 September and Wednesday 10 September - 7.30pm

Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne

Box Office – 0191 232 1232

Website – www.live.org.uk

 

Thursday 11 September - from 6pm

The Crypt, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road, Middlesbrough

Contact - Lesley Duggan - 01642 803 607

Website - www.lbwn.co.uk

This performance is part of a film and theatre evening for Super Gay 2008. Local LGBT people have contributed to the content of both pieces of work. All LGBT people and their friends welcome. Entry by donation, contact Lesley for more details.

With accompanying drama workshop.

Wednesday 17 September - 7.30pm

Lamplight Arts Centre, Front Street, Stanley

Box Office – 01207 218899

Website – http://www.leisureworksonline.co.uk/lamplightarts.cfm

Fully wheelchair accessible

 

Thursday 25 September - 7.30pm

ARC, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees

Box Office – 01642 525199

Website – www.arconline.co.uk

With accompanying drama workshop

 

Friday 26 September - 7.30pm - BSL Interpreter

The Customs House, South Shields

Box Office – 0191 454 1234

Website – www.customshouse.co.uk

A Twist of Lemon is touring for 4 weeks. Many performances are at community venues, for invited audiences only. Only performances open to the public are listed here. Contact us at the office for details of performances in your community. New dates will be added to the website as booked. Watch this space!

A few dates are still available for community groups to book their own performance. Contact Roma for details.

Stand ‘n’ Tan (touring February to March 2009)

Set in a local tanning salon, single mam Joanne is preparing for her imminent wedding - Joanne and Sandra, her chief bridesmaid and best mate from school, are busy with the wedding arrangements. However things go array when Joanne’s dressmaker looses the tips of her fingers whilst working on the cheese counter in Fenwick’s. Thankfully, Maryam, a woman-seeking asylum from Iran, saves the day by agreeing to take over the pearl trim. But Joanne’s mam, Theresa, is far from pleased……. Amidst the hilarity of duty free tabs and an impromptu false tan session, ‘Stand ‘n’ Tan’ explores prejudice and fear and what happens to people when they are faced with the loss of life, love, youth, land, liberty, a gold ring and a neighbour’s dog……… This is a heart wrenching story that isn’t afraid to tackle issues that others would shy away from………

Stand 'N' Tan last toured in 2004. This production is aimed at audiences who are 13yrs +

How to Book

For both A Twist of Lemon and Stand ‘n’ Tan Open Clasp, cast and crew, inclusive of a stage, set, lights and sound equipment comes to you. We provide posters, flyers and programmes. The cost is £700 per show or £1000 for show and post show workshop (which allow audiences to explore the issues highlighted in the piece). To book either tour contact Roma at the office.

Alternatively, and if you don’t have a venue or funds, and you aren’t already on our mailing list, then contact us with your details and we will make sure you are aware of when and where the shows are touring (mainstream venues and theatres).
 

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Friends of Dorothy

Open Clasp have been working exclusively with lesbians and young lesbians for our next production, creating a performance piece whose sole focus is on a lesbian experience, and all the diversity that comes with it. Running throughout 2007 and 2008 the Friends of Dorothy project has seen series of drama workshops with several lesbian groups across the North East. All the characters created by the groups, and the issues highlighted, will be brought together into a brand new performance piece to be toured in September 2008. The title of the new play is A Twist of Lemon and community groups can book now.

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Open Clasp's Film

Click here to watch Open Clasp's four minute film. This was created by Magnificent Films as part of the Media Trust's V for Volunteer project in 2006.

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Open Clasp Screen Saver

Click here to download a screen saver featuring images from the Tonic tour. Many thanks to Axialis for donating the software. Please let us know what you think of this. Would you like screensavers of other Open Clasp productions? Contact us and let us know.

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