Black Widows - The Musical

Aim

To raise awareness of domestic violence and the support available, through an accessible and engaging medium: a musical theatre production.

“Beyond dead husbands, the women of cell 7A have very little in common. On the bright side, a life sentence leaves a lot of time to talk. Join them, and their new cell mate, as they relive their lives, share their secrets... and confess their crimes. 

Five women. Five stories. One cell. It’s time to meet the Black Widows.”

Black Widows is a brand new musical, unlike anything you’ve seen and heard before: raw, immersive, powerful - as funny as it is evocative. This dark comedy musical aims to go beyond the call of entertaining audiences and instead seeks to empower women all across the U.K. to start the fight back against the epidemic within the pandemic: domestic abuse. 

WHO ARE WE?

We are a female led team, all under the age of 30. We are experienced, passionate theatre makers, however we need your help to bring our biggest project yet to life: a musical with morals.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

We are well aware as theatre makers the immense impact of live theatre and it’s immediacy, a treasure that has been lost in these difficult times.

We have created a fully scripted, fully orchestrated musical to engage, educate, and entertain. Our intent is to draw audiences in with humour and charm, but to leave with a clear message. 

Upon learning the dramatic effect COVID-19 has had for domestic abuse victims, we felt we had to do something. But what? What could theatre makers do?

We believe that when theatre returns, it must be bold and it must challenge: we’ve all been entertained by endless Netflix and iPlayer sessions during the lockdown period, but this will never equate to the feeling of sitting in audience, as one waits for the curtain to open. 

WHY NOW?

• Almost one in three women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime. With two women a week being killed by a current/former partner in England and Wales alone, with over 100 calls to the police per hour (Office for national statistics, 2018).
• Calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline have increased 50% within three weeks of the U.K. lockdown due to COVID-19 (BBC News, May 2020).
• In Bristol alone, the police receive on average 18 domestic abuse-related calls a day (Avon and Somerset Constabulary, 2016).

Something needs to be done. 

WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE MONEY?

This crowdfunding venture plans to complete the first stage of Black Widows: an original cast album. For us, this is the starting point for our project to grow into a live run at a theatre, and hopefully beyond. 

Additionally, we intend to donate 50% of album profits (once made) to domestic abuse charity, Refuge along with retaining a role in the production, specifically for a 2020 drama graduate, knowing all too well the struggles those graduating in this difficult time will face.

COST BREAKDOWN

• Artists: £800
• Musical Director: £250
• Orchestra: £3150
• Sound technician and mixing: £400
• Venue hire: £150
• Contingency fund: £250

TOTAL: £5000

Regardless of when the when the lockdown ends and we are able to safely begin our project, domestic violence will continue. 

Everyone knows someone affected, whether you are aware of it or not... the fightback starts now.

This project successfully funded on 25th June 2020