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So many women fought for our right to vote. Yet statues and tributes to these formidable women are too few and far between. 2018 – 100 years since SOME women won the vote for the first time (women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification.) This meant suffragettes’ achievements and women’s suffrage came swimming into public focus.

Certain Curtain Theatre seeks to tell some of the history of the suffrage movement through the eyes and life of our very own Preston Suffragette, Mrs Edith Rigby. Exploring Edith’s life has been a fascinating journey. From an early age, she saw the inequalities of rich and poor, of boys and girls. She tried to make a difference. Her story remains largely unsung. But her journey from a girl who wanted equality through peaceful suffragist to militant is a fascinating one.

Notoriety!

Best known for burning down Lord Leverhulme’s hunting cottage in Rivington – Edith was a woman of ‘firsts.’ She was the first woman, in Preston, to ride a bicycle – in bloomers! – Much to the horror of onlookers – even her vicar – who feared for her very soul. She founded Preston’s first branch of ‘The Women’s Social and Political Union’ and a branch of The Women’s Institute. One of the first members of the Independent Labour Party (from which she was later expelled!)

She became friends with ‘notorious’ Suffragette, Christabel Pankhurst and joined the ‘suffrage movement’. Her exploits became the stuff of legend. Jailed, at least six times, for ‘terrorist attacks’. Her litany of crimes, is almost beyond belief; vandalising Lord Derby’s statue with tar, bombing the Liverpool Cotton Exchange, burning down a wealthy man’s hunting lodge – even the storming of Parliament itself! – And much, much more! This outrageous, extraordinary woman’s life led to her being shunned by neighbours but her fiery spirit was not easily dampened. Her story and the wider women’s suffrage struggle is one worth sharing. I hope audiences agree that theatre is an excellent way to do this.

WOMAN ON FIRE

Premiered at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe August 2017 with a great response and a 4 Star review from The Scotsman. We aim to take audiences back in time to experience one suffragette’s fiery journey fighting for women’s right to vote. To open a window into the past and hopefully reminding audiences of or indeed introducing audiences to the tenacity of our foremothers.

Woman on fire

Ruthless terrorist or impassioned freedom fighter? Check the website for dates near you and you decide. http://www.cctheatre.co.uk/edith-rigby/

I hope WOMAN ON FIRE will light a fire in all who watch to fight for what they believe in.