{"id":1413,"date":"2014-02-19T16:49:19","date_gmt":"2014-02-19T16:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/?p=1413"},"modified":"2020-08-08T14:15:17","modified_gmt":"2020-08-08T14:15:17","slug":"emilymatters-historic-parliament-event-thank-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/?p=1413","title":{"rendered":"#Emilymatters – Historic Event in Parliament – Heartfelt Thanks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HoP_2014_Cover_page_FINAL\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A special Parliamentary performance and debate around the life of Emily Wilding Davison<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

and the impact of her legacy on feminism today.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to our fantastic #Emilymatters<\/a> supporters!<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Post<\/a>

A huge thank you to everyone who got involved in this special Parliamentary performance & debate,
from the cast, director & writer of ‘To Freedom’s Cause’. Cheers!
Photo: Rachel Cochrane, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Thursday 13th<\/sup>\u00a0February 2014, an historic event took place in the Houses of Parliament when\u00a0\u2018To Freedom\u2019s Cause<\/a>\u2018,<\/strong>\u00a0my play about\u00a0Emily Davison<\/strong>\u00a0was performed to a packed audience as part of a special event in support of\u00a0Emily Thornberry MP<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s\u00a0Emily Davison Statue in Parliament Campaign<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Jubilee Room is situated within the original buildings of the Houses of Parliament and is (a stone’s throw away) from St Mary Undercroft, where Emily Davison hid in a cupboard during the 1911 Census, so that she could claim Parliament as her place of residence that night. She would have walked through Westminster Hall as we did.<\/p>\n

There is a virtual treasure trove of material, so more content will be uploaded over the coming days and weeks.<\/p>\n

For my blog on the event itself, please click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

We were overwhelmed by the fantastic response to the event. Everyone in the room was there because they are making a difference to society today. They are part of Emily Davison’s living<\/em> legacy. It would have been great to have invited many more people, but it was also important that the event took place in the same building where Emily made some of her most inventive protests.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Post<\/a>

#Emilymatters: Kay Renner, Katie Russell, Louise Gregory, Sabina Arthur & Karen Ingala Smith
Photo: Rachel Cochrane, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

A statue of Emily will make a strong statement, but it is people who will effect positive change and so it was a privilege to be able to chat with so many inspiring folk afterwards over a glass or two.<\/p>\n

\"2FC_aud_Rebecca<\/a><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emily’s continued relevance was taken up both online and in the room. It was fantastic that #Emilymatters<\/strong> went viral.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2FC_aud_Rebecca<\/a><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

The audience responded to the simple staging of To Freedom’s Cause<\/strong> and seeing Emily through the eyes of others, most especially her mother. This was a very personal performance and after the briefest of get ins the cast launched into the performance with passion.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2FC_aud_Dickie<\/a>\"2FC_aud_HistoryNeedsYou_13Feb14\"<\/a><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another key element in the play is Emily’s strong ties with the North East<\/strong>. It was therefore, fantastic that Newcastle Central MP, Chi Onwurah<\/strong><\/a> added her support to the campaign and was a panelist during the debate. Since the play’s performance in Wensleydale back in 2009, women in particular, have responded to the strong mother-daughter bond, which is at the heart of the play.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2FC_Karen<\/a><\/p>\n

Thanks for this very special event must first go to\u00a0Emily Thornberry MP<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and her team who ensured that we were able to bring Emily Wilding Davison back to Parliament!<\/p>\n

It is incredibly rare for a play to be performed in the Houses of Parliament and so without their vision and support, this special evening would not have taken place.\u00a0Tom Spencer<\/strong>\u00a0worked tirelessly to make sure the evening was a success.<\/p>\n

\"TFC-Panel---Emily-Thornberry_3286\"<\/a>

Emily Thornberry MP on why the Emily Davison Statue in Parliament Campaign matters:
“Politics is about individual people, as much as collective action.”
Photo: Brian Astbury, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

The petition<\/strong><\/a> went on to get 1,343 signatures and has now closed. There will be a memorial to Women’s Suffrage in Parliament, so please look out for updates from Parliament about this.<\/p>\n

\"TFC-Panel---Jane-Garvey_3291_CROP\"<\/a>

Jane Garvey: “I know my colleagues at Woman’s Hour are backing the campaign and are glad that
I’m here tonight.”
Photo: Brian Astbury, 2104<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanks must also go to\u00a0Jane Garvey<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Dr Helen Pankhurst<\/strong>, both of whom added their support very early on in the process. Their interest and encouragement was crucial to keeping up the momentum, as the project had to jump through several Parliamentary administrative hoops!<\/p>\n

\"TFC-Panel---Dr-Helen-Pankhurst_3300_CROP\"<\/a>

Dr Helen Pankhurst on intersectionality: “I don’t think we have to be on the same page on everything
… but we can support each other across our differences.”
Photo: Brian Astbury, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

#Emilymatters<\/strong> continues to support the great work that Care International<\/strong> do and will again join Dr Helen Pankhurst and her daughter Laura at the 2015 Walk in Her Shoes campaign.<\/strong>\u00a0It would be great to see you there!<\/p>\n

For more information,\u00a0click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"TFC-Panel_3296\"<\/a>

Yas Necati on the teaching of women’s history in schools: “Feminism is always talked about something
that was, rather than something that is and I think that’s a real shame.”
Photo: Brian Astbury, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

Panelist\u00a0Yas Necati<\/strong>\u00a0has written extensively on why Emily Davison’s legacy matters today, including her excellent\u00a0guest blog<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on this website.<\/p>\n

\"TFC-Panel_3294\"<\/a>

Chi Onwurah MP: “The equality of opportunity is for everyone.”
Photo: Brian Astbury, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

Emma Barnett<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Chi Onwurah MP<\/strong>\u00a0have both been very supportive of the event, so it was great to have their involvement as panelists.\u00a0Clips from the debate will be made available on the website soon.<\/p>\n

\"Emma<\/a>

Emma Barnett: “If you want feminism to seem relevant, it has to outline better what the issues are … because some people don’t know what’s left to fight.”
Photo: Kate Willoughby, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

Insightful reviews of the evening, please read articles by\u00a0Radhika Sanghani<\/strong><\/a>, writer for The Telegraph’s Wonder Women and by feminist campaigner\u00a0Charlie Tarrant<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BgX6MbTIAAAd4Js\"<\/a>

People power: Full house in the Jubilee Room, 13 February 2014
Photo: Matthew Ward, History Needs You, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

My Emily Wilding Davison play,\u00a0To Freedom’s Cause<\/strong><\/a>, has been through an extensive period of research and development. Over the past 5 years it has been performed at a variety of venues.<\/p>\n

In 2013, for example, an\u00a0Arts Council England<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0backed tour included village halls, the Georgian Theatre Royal, Newcastle’s Lit & Phil, the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden\u00a0and HMP Downview.<\/p>\n

This brand new interpretation<\/strong> of the play was created specifically for the Parliamentary performance. Director\u00a0Brian Astbury<\/strong>\u00a0cast a strong ensemble of actors who brought a fresh retelling of Emily Davison’s life as a campaigner for equality, in support of the Emily Davison Statue in Parliament campaign. Whilst\u00a0Rhona Finch<\/strong>, the Musical Director, created an uplifting mix of traditional Northumbrian song and rousing suffragette anthems.<\/p>\n

\"To<\/a><\/p>\n

Cast members: Eleanor Dennison, Fiona Geddes, Darren Godbold, Kyra Williams and Kate Willoughby.<\/p>\n

This fantastic team created a moving and insightful performance that the audience really responded to. For more information about the cast and creative team, please\u00a0click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

“To Freedom’s Cause should be seen by every woman and teenage girl. And by anybody who couldn’t be bothered to vote. Moving, stirring and passionate”.<\/strong>
\nJane Garvey,\u00a0Presenter, BBC Radio 4 Woman\u2019s Hour<\/p>\n

\"To<\/a>

‘To Freedom’s Cause’ by Kate Willoughby – historic performance in the House of Commons.
Cast: Kyra Williams, Fiona Geddes, Kate Willoughby, Eleanor Dennison, Darren Godbold.
Photo: Rachel Cochrane, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

Other key members of the team to thank are\u00a0Evgenia Makeeva<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(Event Manager),\u00a0Kirsty Murray<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(@2FCPlay designated Tweeter), Emily and Gabe from\u00a0@MasonClarkMedia<\/strong><\/a>, who created impactful infographics and drove the social media campaign,\u00a0Isla Salisbury<\/strong><\/a>, who also assisted with the social media and administration.<\/p>\n

The performance of the play in Parliament could not have taken place without the fantastic support of\u00a0Dame Judi Dench<\/strong>,\u00a0Sheila Hancock<\/strong>,\u00a0Judi Loadman<\/strong>,\u00a0Joanna Lumley OBE FRGS<\/strong>,\u00a0Maxine Peake<\/strong>,\u00a0Emma Thompson<\/strong>,\u00a0Dame Harriet Walter\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Tom Willoughby<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In addition, to my blog about the event<\/strong><\/a>. Take a look at Charlie Tarrant<\/strong>‘s blog from weareunfinished.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those people and organisations who have lent their support to the play over the past 5 years, many of whom continue to follow the play’s developments with interest.<\/p>\n

Finally, a thank you list to all the fantastic supporters of this special Parliamentary production:<\/p>\n

Emily Thornberry MP
\nEmma Barnett
\nHarry & Pip Bolton
\nVal Burgess
\nEmily Clark
\nRachel Cochrane
\nIrene Cockroft
\nDame Judi Dench
\nFrances Dredge
\nJane Garvey
\nLouise Grainger
\nLouise Gregory
\nSheila Hancock
\nBev Joicey
\nWilliam Jones
\nJudi Loadman
\nJoanna Lumley
\nEvgenia Makeeva
\nGabe Mason
\nAndrew McKinnon
\nMuriel McClymont
\nKirsty Murray
\nYas Necati
\nChi Onwurah MP
\nDr Helen Pankhurst
\nMaxine Peake
\nChris Purser
\nIndi Rambachan
\nEmma Reilly
\nDeborah Richards
\nIsla Salisbury
\nTom Spencer
\nEmma Thompson
\nDame Harriet Walter
\nMatthew Ward
\nChris Wheatley
\nTom Willoughby
\nMichelle Witton
\nWonderWomen
\nJuan Zanbrana<\/p>\n

@MasonClarkMedia<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0@HistoryNeedsYou<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0@listenupnorth<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0|\u00a0@WirelessPA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Post<\/a>

#Emilymatters: Kate Willoughby with Tom Spencer, from Emily Thornberry MP\u2019s team, who ensured
the evening was a great success.
Photo: Rachel Cochrane, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

#Emilymatters was proud to support the Emily Davison Statue in Parliament campaign.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Rhona<\/a>

#Emilymatters: ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ Creative team members Rhona Finch (Musical Director) & Brian Finch.
Photo: Kate Willoughby, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

Looking to the future, plans are being made for a 2018 community based project with\u00a0To Freedom’s Cause<\/strong> at its heart. Please keep in touch and follow us @Emilymatters<\/strong><\/a>, to keep up to date with developments.<\/p>\n

\"2FC_1000_target_met_13Feb14\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We passed our target of 1,000 signatures by opening up the event to social media, which is something that we continue to do as we encourage young women, in particular, to vote.<\/p>\n

Emily Davison is\u00a0one of our most important feminist icons<\/b>. Her legacy continues through current campaigns such as\u00a0No More Page 3<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Everyday Sexism Project<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"2FC_Andrew_Emilymatters_13Feb14\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Post<\/a>

#Emilymatters: Hope for the future – Kate Willoughby with upcoming feminist campaigner Yas Necati
Photo: Rachel Cochrane, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

You can also keep up to date with developments about the work of\u00a0Kate Willoughby Productions<\/strong>, including the ongoing legacy of this play, by joining our\u00a0mailing list<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or follow\u00a0@katewilloughby8<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kate Willoughby
\n<\/em><\/strong>Actor & Writer of To Freedom\u2019s Cause
\n<\/em>#Emilymatters<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Votesforwomenstrap\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Emily Davison\u2019s legacy is for\u00a0life<\/em>, not just for 2013.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Twitter\"\/<\/a>\"LinkedIn\"\/<\/a>\"Share\"\/<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A special Parliamentary performance and debate around the life of Emily Wilding Davison and the impact of her legacy on feminism today. . Thanks to our fantastic #Emilymatters supporters! . \u00a0. On Thursday 13th\u00a0February 2014, an historic event took place in the Houses of Parliament when\u00a0\u2018To Freedom\u2019s Cause\u2018,\u00a0my play about\u00a0Emily Davison\u00a0was performed to a packed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[53,6,56,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1413"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1413"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5814,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1413\/revisions\/5814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katewilloughby.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}