A short film created with women from Birmingham and the Black Country sharing their experience from 11 March to 30 June 2020.
Women in Lockdown highlights the experiences of and impact on women in this unique moment in history.
Following a research period, where we spoke to women across Birmingham and the Black Country we took inspiration from their experiences to create an online performance involving music, film and an ensemble community cast of women. An ambitious project created in response to the national lockdown that shows Women & Theatre adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and our commitment to make work for digital audiences.
The film, involving a diverse ensemble community cast of women, features varied footage – from Zoom sessions, mobile phones and some socially-distanced filmed sequences. We have worked with women of different ages and cultural backgrounds, including some disabled and D/deaf women. We have aimed to make the project and final film as accessible as possible.
Women in Lockdown is available for free now.
Watch the Film
Cast & Contributor Credits
Women in Lockdown
Created, written, directed & produced by Women & Theatre
Janice Connolly, Jo Gleave, Jess Pearson & Matt Smith
in collaboration with
Research participants & community performers from across Birmingham and the Black Country
Filmed by Sima Gonsai & Joe Potts
Additional footage filmed by community performers
Edited by Sima Gonsai
Grading & graphics: Daniel Alexander
Sound design & original music composed by Nicola McAteer
Associate Artist (Access) Maral Mamaghanizadeh
BSL Interpreter Rachael Veazey
Volunteer support: Adwoa Owusu- Barnieh, Emma Fall & Shelley Atkinson
Cast & Contributors
Adwoa Owusu- Barnieh
Angela Henry
Ann Spencer
Aysha Sainsbury
Bernadette Bates
Bernie Brennan
Beverley Turner
Brenda Pressdee
Carmel Dacre
Claire Jones
Clare Smith
Deborah Broomfield
Emma Fall
Emma Fordham
Emma O’Brien
Flavia Estupinan
Francene Gibbs
Germaine David-Clarke
Irene Odoardi
Isabelle Kelly
Janice Connolly
Jenny Stuttle
Jess & Luke Pearson
Jo Bennett
Jo Gleave
Julie James
Katie Hoare
Laura Achurch
Laura Maney
Linda Beasley
Lucy Trevis
Mary Collins
Maral Mamaghanizadeh
Michelle M Rafferty
Odilia Mabrouk
Rachael Veazey
Rachel Gartside
Reshma Patel
Romy Ashmore-Hills
Rosie & Ralph Gunn
Roxanne Green
Rupinder Kaur
Ruthie Cunliffe
Sally Andrews
Selly Park Bubble
Shelley Atkinson
Shirley Demaine
Sukhvinder Kaur
Tiurlan Passmore
Thea Brown
Trish White
Vicki Taylor
Thanks to:
Deaf Explorer
David Peebles and the Moseley Art school
Members of The Larks – Singing for Lung Health in Wolverhampton
and to all the women from across Birmingham and the Black Country who shared their experiences with us as part of the research process, and all our wonderful community cast.
Funders & Partners
Arts Council England’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund
