Us Too (2022)

Commissioned by Durham University and Sunderland University, Us Too: Alisha’s Story was co-created by Open Clasp Theatre Company and women from Us Too, a group with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced domestic abuse. The women were supported by the Association for Real Change (ARC UK), a national charity supporting providers of Learning Disability and Autism services.

Holly Wilkinson plays Alisha in her first professional acting role. Us Too: Alisha’s Story is Julie Tsang’s writing debut for Open Clasp Theatre Company.

Director Katja Roberts is Creative Director of the award-winning Meerkat Films, who have collaborated with Open Clasp on theatre to film projects including Sugar for BBC iPlayer. Us Too: Alisha’s Story is Katja’s directorial debut for Open Clasp.

Us Too: Alisha’s Story was co-created to effect change and to develop inclusive criminal justice responses to sexual violence. The film will be used in an Economic and Social Research Council (ESCR) funded project to develop criminal justice practice in Durham in 2023. As with previous project, Rattlesnake which was used to train frontline officers in recognising coercive control, a skilled team from Open Clasp will use the film to train 200 police officers at Durham Constabulary in April and May next year.