Regular cervical screening is essential for all women, yet there is a low rate of take-up of screening services in the Black Country. By demystifying the screening process and encouraging women to talk about their feelings, The Cervical Monologues aims to ensure that women are informed about their own health needs and empowered to take up screening appointments.

With the support of Dudley PCT, Women & Theatre’s Janice Connolly and Melisa Harrison have performed additional research with GPs and community groups to explore issues around the take-up of cervical screening services. From the research, Janice will write four new monologues to incorporate into the existing script, and increase the local relevance and impact of the piece. With these new voices that really reflect the local opinions in Dudley, the tour will aim to spark discussions about overcoming real and perceived barriers to accessing cervical screening services for Dudley’s diverse communities.

This is a great example of how W&T’s flexible and in-depth scripts can be used and adapted within local contexts. If you’re interested in a similar project, whether with Cervical Monologues or any of our other plays, please do drop us a line.

Thursday 4th March, 12.45pm @ St Thomas’s Network, Beechwood Road, DY2 7AQ
Friday 5th March, 12.45pm @ Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks Road, DY9 8BH
Wednesday 10th March, 12.45pm @ St James Medical Practice, Malthouse Drive, DY1 2BY
Everyone living in Dudley is welcome, but please book for groups of 5 or more on 0121 440 4203.

I have just returned from Edinburgh where I have been performing in Office Party (Underbelly & Assembly productions) which started life at The Barbican last Christmas. The production was a great Festival success getting several 5 star reviews and interest from Chicago, Montreal, New York to name but a few! I have ended up with some kind of upper respiratory infection akin to kennel cough – anyone who has done a whole month of the Edinburgh festival will know what I mean!

It’s great to return to the bosom of W&T and we are all raring to go with The Bad One. We have worked really hard in developing the script and, in our 25th year, it feels right to be working on what promises to be a land mark company production. Can I also thank everyone who supported the Comedy Fun(d) raiser at The Glee Club. It was a great big resounding success helping to raise money for the company whilst being a brilliant night for all. With the company turning its sights to International work with Women and War, I see no reason why the next quarter of a century should not find our business cards saying ‘Women & Theatre, Birmingham, Europe, The World, The Universe’ (knocks spots off Chicago, Montreal & New York!).

Love Janice x

Hiya

Just a reminder about our rehearsed reading of The Bad One on Friday. It would be great to get as many people there as possible. We’re hoping to get some really lively debates going around some of the key themes of the play and we’re particularly interested in looking at our left and right brains. For your reference,

• right brain uses feeling, imagination, and belief,

• and left brain forms strategies, is good at words and language, and is reality based.

Are you left or right brain dominant? Are you a Heidi or a Jackie?

Look forward to seeing you all, just drop us a line to let us know you’re coming

Janice

Women & Theatre Celebrating 25 Years

The Bad One
Rehearsed Reading, Friday 27th June, 2-4pm or 6.30-8.30pm

Autumn 2008 marks Women & Theatre’s 25th Anniversary.
Artistic Director Janice Connolly welcomes you to join us to help support our celebratory preparations.

You are warmly invited to Birmingham REP for an exclusive preview of Women & Theatre’s upcoming production, The Bad One. Members of the cast will perform a rehearsed reading of extracts from this darkly humorous fairytale. After the performance please do join us for a relaxed and friendly discussion about the play and its themes. This is your chance to contribute to the continuing development of the show up to its opening at the REP on 25th September. Drinks & nibbles provided

For more information on the production, please visit The Bad One.