Literature for Whores
a new play
An impoverished prostitute and a wealthy courtesan develop an unlikely friendship, as they navigate women's power, money, sex, and education in 18th Century London
R&D Project
We are perparing to R&D the script, present rehearsed readings, and facilitate workshops on the topic 'writing historical fiction for live theatre'. Find out more below.
Goals of the Play
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➢ To educate, entertain, and shed light on the profits and pitfalls of selling sex in the 1700s.
➢ Using theatre to explore women's bodily autonomy, and access to power, wealth, and education through the profession of prostitution. ➢ To create more roles for women in theatre, on stage and backstage.
➢ To support the decriminalisation of sex work
Project Description
We are aiming to:
➢ Successfully fund an R&D on the script, culminating in presenting an industry-focused rehearsed reading to theatre development teams in London (with the goal of seeing if they want to produce/co-produce the play).
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➢ Facilitate free workshops as part of the play's goal to educate; this will be on writing historical fiction for the stage and offered to people affected by themes of the play: sex workers, recipients of Universal Credit, women, disabled people, people of Global Majority heritage, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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➢ Bring regional theatre-makers and community theatre groups together, as well as cultural experience providers/venues, working on community lead presentations of the play.
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➢ Explore the potential to develop further workshops which offer education around sex, safe sex, consent, and the history of sex work.
Melanie Chitty Photography
Support Us
We are looking to create partnerships with communities affected by the themes of the play: organisiations supporting women, sex workers, and people facing poverty. We are also looking for venue support, cultural partners (heritage sites, libraries), and opportunities for community theatre enagement. We would also be very grateful for funding, marketing, & other in-kind donations.