Mycelial: A new play about sex worker activism
13 September 2023
We are delighted to be supporting a new production by Open Clasp: Mycelial. The show will run at Northern Stage, Newcastle, between the 20th – 28th October 2023. The performances on the 26th and 27th October will be accompanied by panel discussions from members of the creative team and contributors.
When Open Clasp Artistic Director Catrina McHugh MBE facilitated a workshop for the North East Sex Work Forum, she was struck that the voices of sex workers were often missing from the narrative and became aware of two different sides to the debate. She explains, “The debate between the two camps of thought – the Nordic Model and the Decriminalisation of Sex Work – is challenging and complex. Toxic even. People are scared to talk about it. Mycelial aims to make space for debate and discussion. It is activism and theatre at its best, celebrating the strength and humanity of sex work activists who can’t walk by injustice. Underpinned by our co-creator’s principle, ‘nothing about us without us’, Open Clasp is the scaffolding and their voices are centre stage.”
The show has been co-created with sex work activists across the UK, Ireland – where the law was changed in 2017 to criminalise buying sex, and Aoteoroa/New Zealand – the first country in the world to decriminalise sex work in 2003.
The project has support from campaigners and experts around the world including Dame Catherine Healy from the Aotearoa/New Zealand Sex Workers’ Collective, who said, “Mycelial digs into the whorearchy, exploring that which drives us apart, whilst pushing back against those who would de-humanise us as sex workers.” Dr. Raven Bowen, CEO at National Ugly Mugs who are sponsoring sex worker engagement on advocacy panels associated with the production said, “Mycelial portrays the distinctiveness of individual experiences in sex work and the subterranean, subcultural and sub rosa connectivity among sex workers, trans folx, and black and brown communities. A pulse or eco-system that is felt and lived but not always apparent, yet ties all struggles for justice together.”
The production features a nine-strong cast representing the diversity of its co-creators from across the UK, Ireland, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. The characters reflect those who Open Clasp worked with, including trans women of colour, lesbian, queer, straight and intersex people.
Cast member Lexi Clare is originally from Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is excited by projects that are deeply rooted in community. She said, “People tend to have strong feelings about sex work so it’s a complex topic to explore. Sex work was decriminalised in Aotearoa when I was 10 years old so I grew up understanding that there was still a level of stigma attached, but never questioning whether it should be criminalised. Researching the sex work industry on an international scale has been really eye opening for me; I honestly didn’t realise how different Aotearoa’s approach was, and still is, compared to other countries.”
“This project feels like such a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences. What is brilliant is how the script weaves together so many different stories – I think audiences might be surprised at how many moments and relationships resonate with them. And regardless of how you feel about sex work, we’re also talking about the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, which is something that I would hope people can get behind.”
For more information or to book tickets visit northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/mycelial/
We are pleased to share that NUM and Mycelial are able to provide £5 tickets for sex workers to attend the show. If you would like to do so, please head into our members’ area, find the code and enter this at checkout!