Literature for Whores
a new play
by Gabrielle Finnegan
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
Melanie Chitty Photography
R&D Project
We are perparing to R&D the script and present a rehearsed reading of Literature For Whores, kindly supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Goals of the Play
➢ 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:
➢R&D the script with professional actors and creatives, 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).
➢ Engage with communties 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.
➢ Explore the potential to develop workshops which offer education around sex, safe sex, consent, and the history of sex work, as part of the play's goal to educate.
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.