2014: Play – House of Commons Clips
House of Commons Performance
& Clips
On Thursday 13th February 2014, an historic event took place in the House of Commons when ‘To Freedom’s Cause‘, Kate Willoughby’s play about suffragette Emily Davison was performed to a packed audience as part of a special event in support of Emily Thornberry MP‘s Emily Davison Statue in Parliament Campaign.
TO FREEDOM’S CAUSE should be seen by every woman and teenage girl.
And by anyone who couldn’t be bothered to vote. Moving, stirring & passionate.
– Jane Garvey, BBC Radio 4, Woman’s Hour presenter
Due to the restrictions of the venue, director Brian Astbury created a very simple staging, which enabled the story and people involved to come to the fore. ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ is an ensemble piece that examines the motives and unforeseen consequences of Emily Davison’s brave fight for equality.
A play not just about ‘history’, but about people, love, fear and commitment.
– female arts, 4*
To Freedom’s Cause – Micro trailer:
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‘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.
Director: Brian Astbury & Musical Director: Rhona Finch.
Emily has never felt more alive, she says. She cannot give up her passion to win the right to vote for women … The tension between mother and daughter is matched in equal measure with tenderness.
– Charlie Tarrant, weareunfinished.com
To Freedom’s Cause – trailer – The Lawless Lassie:
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‘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.
Director: Brian Astbury & Musical Director: Rhona Finch.
a joyous, even-handed and moving portrayal … deftly balancing
tragic and comic moments.
– A Younger Theatre
To Freedom’s Cause – trailer – We Band of Sisters:
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‘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.
Director: Brian Astbury & Musical Director: Rhona Finch.
The evening also included a lively and informative debate chaired by Jane Garvey (BBC Radio 4′s Woman’s Hour Presenter) and helped to boost the campaign. On the panel were Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, Dr Helen Pankhurst (Great Granddaughter of Emmeline), No More Page 3 campaigner Yas Necati and broadcaster & journalist Emma Barnett.
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#Emilymatters event included a performance included a performance of ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ & a debate chaired by
Jane Garvey with Chi Onwurah MP, Dr Helen Pankhurst, Yas Necati & Emma Barnett.
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The event was also the catalyst for #Emilymatters, an initiative to help support the great work carried out by fourth wave feminist campaigns for gender equality, including No More Page 3, CARE International and the newly formed Go Girls Wales.
#Emilymatters UK General Election, 2015 Storify
#Emilymatters European & Local Elections, 2014 Storify
Emily matters | Voting matters | Equality matters
We have come along way since Emily Wilding Davison and her sister suffragettes first campaigned for women to have equal voting rights. However, there is still some way to go before we achieve true equality, so please lend your support to the many gender equality campaigns who seek to redress the balance.
To Freedom’s Cause remains very much at the heart of the #Emilymatters campaign and is part of its future plans.
To find out more about what we have planned next, you can sign up for our updates.
If you’re on social media there is more about To Freedom’s Cause and Emilymatters on:
There are exciting times ahead, so please do get in touch!
Kate Willoughby
Actor & Writer of Emily Wilding Davison play To Freedom’s Cause
It’s time to Step Up | Vote | Lead
