The Knitting Circle
2011 to 2013 national tour UK theatres, written from the testimonies of women who survived the long care system in the UK and Ireland.
A chilling glimpse into the secret worlds and stolen years inside the asylums – ‘Persons fit to be removed’. Were all these people truly Mad, Bad and Dangerous? Hear their stories and think again.
Based on the testimonies of people who survived the asylums closed in the 1980s. Each of the actors was matched with people who lived or worked inside long stay hospitals. What reverberates is the extraordinary resilience and humanity of the courageous souls who have entrusted us with their stories.
Alan Clifton’s video ‘What do you Think?’
Alan interviews the first creative team working on The Knitting Circle…
The Knitting Circle by Julie Mc Namara
Director:
Re-direct:
Designer:
Lighting Design:
Paulette Randall
Antoinette Lester
Jessica Worrall
Crin Claxton
‘Fantastic writing!’
Cambell X (Blackman Visions)
‘A powerful and well crafted piece. Very poignant… great writing’
Sue Williams, Arts Council England
‘A Brilliant play. Some amazing and moving stories that need to be told. So much heart and nuance and visceral pain.’
Pratibha Parmar (Filmmaker)
This production is dedicated to Joyce, Dorothy, Betty, Rosemary, Priti, Nan, Celia and to the thousands of women who survived life in the Asylums. Your lives were not made easy, but you taught me much about the irrepressible human spirit and the art of laughter in amongst the tears.
To the remarkable storytellers who have accompanied us on the journey so far: Mary, Rosie, Carole, Hilary H, Premila, Dr Rachel, Derek, Mike, Dr. Mike, Day Tripper, Hilary P, Rilwan, Steve, Jonathan, Robert, Iris, Mary O, Katharine and Joyce.
Thank you for everything you have shared with us.
