Every year on 8 March, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” calls for a world free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Here at The Atkinson, we join the global conversation by highlighting the achievements of women and fostering a dialogue about equality.

 Celebrating Women in our Collections:

Throughout history, women have played significant roles in shaping our society, often overcoming significant challenges. The Atkinson’s diverse collections provide a glimpse into these contributions.

• Artworks by female artists: We showcase the talents of local and internationally recognised female artists. Delve into the creativity and perspectives reflected in their paintings, sculptures, and textiles.
• Objects from history: Discover stories of everyday women and their extraordinary contributions through historical artifacts. Learn about their experiences in various fields, from domestic life to social activism.
• Literature by women writers: Immerse yourself in the voices of female authors from different eras and backgrounds. Their stories offer unique insights into society and the human experience.

 Events and Activities:

To further celebrate IWD, The Atkinson will host a series of events and activities throughout the month of March, April and beyond. Here’s some upcoming highlights which delves into themes of gender equality and empowerment.

Grateful Fred’s: Charlie Dore.
Wednesday 6 March 2024, 7:30pm.
£13 advance / £15 on the door.

It’s ladies night at Grateful Fred’s as we proudly present an all-female lineup of performers. As three captivating soloists, these talented women will showcase their diverse musical styles and stories. Get ready for an evening filled with powerful voices, captivating melodies, and the undeniable energy of female musicianship. Don’t miss this special opportunity to experience the power of female talent and celebrate their artistic expression.

7.30pm – Penni Neale
8.00pm – Venessa Murray
8.40pm – Interval
9.00pm – Charlie Dore

As SHE Likes It.
Friday 8 March 2024, 7:30pm.
Free.

As SHE Likes It is inspired by the story of #MeToo pioneer Patricia Douglas. It’s been nearly 100 years since Patricia Douglas was lured to a studio party under the guise of a casting call, in what was perhaps the biggest, best-suppressed scandal in Hollywood history.

This performance has been funded by The Atkinson Development Trust in recognition of International Women’s Day as its message is important for everybody to hear. Some schools places are still available. Enquire at Box Office by calling 01704 533 333 for more information.

Free Online Talk: Dora Marsden and the Gospel of Power
Wednesday 13 March 2024, 1pm.
Free.

Dora Marsden (1882 – 1960) was a teacher, philosopher, suffragette and suffragist. In 1900 she began teaching at Owens College, where she met Christabel Pankhurst and other suffragists. Dora joined them and became a leader in the Women’s Social and Political Union (WPSU) by 1908. The following year she resigned as a teacher and became a full time agitator for the WSPU, graduating from suffragist to suffragette. She was sentenced to two months in prison for vandalism in 1909: she refused to wear prison clothes and served her time in the nude, even wriggling out of a straightjacket that had been forced on her. After a hunger strike she was released and continued to agitate. She disrupted political meetings (including a speech by a young Winston Churchill). The WSPU “promoted” her to a clerical position to temper her agitation. Dora, meanwhile, had grown tired of the “skirt movement” and sought a liberty beyond feminism.

Learn all about her incredible life in this free online talk. Booking required.
Free online talk, booking is required before 11am on the morning of the talk. The talk will be presented using Zoom. You will receive an email invitation to join a Zoom meeting just after 11am on the morning of the talk.

Saving Amy: A talk by Eric Watkiss.
Wednesday 3 April 2024, 7pm.
Free for members / £5 for public.

Amy Johnson was a pioneering English pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. She set many long distance records during the 1930s and flew in the Second World War as a part of the Air Transport Auxiliary, losing her life during a ferry flight.

Eric Watkiss is  the project manager of the Saving Amy Project which aims to restore an original WW2 Airspeed Oxford Trainer aircraft in memorial to Amy Johnson. Join Eric to hear the amazing story of Amy and learn about the restoration project that he is currently working on.

Fat Chance.
Saturday 13 April 2024, 8pm.
£14.00 / £12.00 concessions.

Meet Rachel – a 20-something actress from Boro whose funny, celebratory and politically powerful one-woman play explores her true-life experience of weight gain from size 8 to 18.

The link between diet culture and feminism is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, feminism champions individual freedom and bodily autonomy, which can be co-opted by diet culture that presents weight loss as a personal choice for self-improvement. However, the thin ideal promoted by diet culture is often rooted in patriarchal beauty standards that objectify and limit women’s value based on appearance. This creates a double bind, where women are encouraged to pursue unattainable beauty standards while simultaneously being judged for their bodies. By challenging the societal pressure to conform to these standards and focusing on health and well-being over weight loss, feminism can work to dismantle the harmful effects of diet culture and empower women to embrace their bodies in their entirety. This play explores those links in a powerful, moving way.

Austen’s Women: LADY SUSAN
Wednesday 17 April 2024, 8pm.
£16 / £14 concessions.

Devil-may-care Lady Susan, the coquettish black widow, hunting down not one, but two, fortunes; oppressed, rebellious daughter Frederica; long-suffering sister-in-law Catherine; family matriarch Mrs De Courcy; and insouciant best friend, Alicia.

Austen’s work, while not overtly feminist by today’s standards, laid groundwork for future generations exploring women’s agency and societal expectations, making her a significant literary figure in the trajectory of feminist thought. This play is based on literature by a woman, written and performed by a woman, for women.

PP Arnold: Soul Survivor
Thursday 10 October 2024, 7:30pm.
£28.00 / Meet & Greet: £75.00.

PP Arnold‘s story is one of musical highs, personal lows, and that extraordinary voice.

She joined Ike and Tina Turner Reveue at the age of 17 then arrived in London in 1966 to support The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger persuaded her to stay in London as a solo artist and the rest is history. During a five-decade career, she’s worked with everyone from Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, the Small Faces, Nick Drake and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.

To follow the publication of her autobiography, she’s on the road with jaw-dropping stories from her remarkable life in a beautiful, intimate evening, peppered with song.

Posted on 27 February 2024 under General news