Life inside prison for women

After playing to sell out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and off Broadway in New York earlier this year, a critically acclaimed play about life in a female prison is on tour in this country.
Key Change is a play about the lives of women in prisonKey Change is a play about the lives of women in prison
Key Change is a play about the lives of women in prison

Devised by women in HMP Low Newton, Key Change offers a unique opportunity to hear their voices.

Honest, powerful and very funny, the award winning play is a raw and illuminating portrayal of the lives of women in prison, writes Heather Jan Brunt.

The Open Clasp Theatre Company play originally toured to male prisons before moving audiences and critics at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe and winning the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award.

Following the New York premiere in January 2016, Key Change received a New York Times Critics’ Pick.

The play has also performed in women’s high security prisons in Edinburgh and New York State.

Writer and Open Clasp artistic director Catrina McHugh said: “Our aim is to change the world one play at a time.

“Winning the Best of Edinburgh award changed ours. The response to Key Change, both at the Fringe and internationally, and in the prisons we’ve visited, has been overwhelming.

“But the success of this project is down to the collaboration with women from Low Newton prison, so I thank each and every woman who put their trust in us to tell their stories.”

Key Change will be performed at The Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead at 8pm on Friday (November 18).

Tickets £14, £12, £10 and £5, available online at www.oldtownhall.co.uk

Or call in to the box office on the High Street or call 01442 228091 between noon and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.