A thought-provoking performance of the sorrowful play Widows at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans has helped raise £900 for the Mayor of St Albans City and District’s two charities.
The charities - St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge and Sure-Start St Albans - both helped sell tickets for the production which was performed by The Company of Ten.
Written by Ariel Dorfman, the play is focused around a group peasant of women living in a war-torn village in an unnamed country who are mourning their missing husband and sons. When the men’s bodies are washed up in the near-by river they rise up, but their protest is doomed.
The performance was attended by volunteers and supporters from the two charities as well as Councillor Aislinn Lee, the Mayor of St Albans City and District.
She said: “The play, although sad, was brilliantly performed and made us think how lucky we are. I would like to thank the Abbey Theatre and the Company of Ten for putting on this wonderful performance to help my charities.”
Maralyn Pollard, Chair of the Directors for the management committee of St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge, who approached the Abbey Theatre about the charity performance, said: ”It was a lovely social event attended by many of our supporters which has helped raise much-needed funds for the women’s refuge. A big “thank you” goes to The Company of Ten and the Abbey Theatre.”
Lorraine Imber, from Sure-Start, said: “It was a brilliant night. I would like to thank everyone who bought tickets helping us to raise money for Sure-Start.”
Cllr Aislinn Lee, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City & District.
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
E-mail: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Amanda Wilkinson,
Media and Internal Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Picture caption:
Councillor Aislinn Lee, The Mayor of St Albans and District, and supporters of St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge and Sure-Start St Albans at the performance of Widows, by The Company of Ten at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans.
Notes:
St Albans and Hertsmere Women's Refuge provides a service to women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Its aim is to provide a safe, comfortable, conflict-free environment and to provide advice and support.
Sure-start St Albans, provides services to families with children aged 0-5 years, through a group of 10 children’s centres across the District. Parents, grandparents and carers benefit from family support, outreach services, health services, training and employment and information on childcare.
More information about the Mayor's charities is available on the Council’s website.