Imagine that fifteen women gather. They have a conversation that maps eight geographic arteries across England and Wales, like points on a compass. These arteries reach out towards a singular destination like roots forming a tree. The destination is Hyde Park. At Land’s End, a group of women start putting one foot in front of the other. For them there is no going back.
It’s June 1913 and the Great Suffrage Pilgrimage begins. 

Oxygen is the first production from Dreadnought South West Association, a new organisation that works with arts and heritage to champion women’s voices and stories. As the play tours from Land’s End to London, retracing the steps and thoughts of 100 years ago, it will be accompanied by a series of responding events, discussions and land journeys that celebrate the courage of those who participated in the pilgrimage, and questions how women’s lives have changed since 1913.

Oxygen is written by Natalie McGrath, whose most recent work includes Exodus for Box of Tricks Theatre Company's Word:Play/NWxSW tour; Rift at the Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre in Taunton; and Coasting, which was developed through Bristol Ferment and produced in the studio as a Bristol Old Vic production. Director Josie Sutcliffe has worked with Theatre Clwyd, Derby Playhouse, Chichester Festival Theatre, Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Plymouth Theatre Royal. Performed by an ensemble cast, Oxygen will also feature original music by Claire Ingleheart, who has collaborated with Wild Works and Kneehigh.

Peformances as follows:

3 July: The Carlton Theatre, Teignmouth

4 July: Rougemont Gardens, Exeter

5 July: Barnfield Theatre, Exeter

Visit www.dreadnoughtsouthwest.org.uk for further information and tickets.