Catrina’s Blog
Catrina McHugh MBE is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Open Clasp Theatre Company.
A multi-award-winning playwright, she has dedicated her career to making theatre with women and young people on the margins of society. Her work gives voice to those often unheard, shaping stories into powerful productions that challenge injustice and create change.
In this blog, Catrina shares reflections from the rehearsal room, insights into her creative process, and the political and personal moments that fuel her writing. From behind-the-scenes glimpses to wider commentary on feminism, activism, and community, her posts offer a deeply personal look at the heart and craft of socially engaged theatre.
Pure Art and Politics- our highlights
People seemed to do the highlights of the year or standout shows or companies, so…
Laura Lindow, Mycelial and Me
This is Laura Lindow last show with us as Associate Director. Laura and I keep…
The Drowning Dog, Mycelial and Me
The dog was drowning, yelping, and calling to its owner. I had gone out for…
Being 60, Mycelial and Me
Being 60 My mum died at 60, I’m the youngest of five, and I think…
Changemakers 2022
We close the year as one of the Big Issue’s 2022 Changemakers who made an…
Marking the Moment, Open Clasp and Me
We (Open Clasp) have commissioned four new writers, five facilitators and one Assistant Director to…
Dark Skies, Day Break and Me 
Buster [brown and white dog sleeping on a yellow and brown blanket] I’ve been working…
Breast Cancer Review, a New Play and Me
I’ve just had my mid-year review with the Breast Cancer nurse, holistic, looking at physical…
Breast Cancer, Trains and Me
It’s been 14 weeks since diagnosis, 11 weeks since the operation and one month since…
International Women’s Day, Being Brave, Breast Cancer and Me
West End Women and Girls Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Today is International Women’s Day and I begin…
Breast Cancer, Radiotherapy, The Dog and Me
The dates clashed, the dog’s operation (to remove his lumps, throat and groin [fatty, not…
Breast Cancer, Anniversaries and Me
On the 8th February 2021, on our anniversary of 7 years Civilised and 28 years…
Breast Cancer, Treatments and Me
I can laugh now. If I think back to before, to Christmas and New Year…
Breast Cancer, the Results and Me
I woke yesterday, as night turned into day and I was thinking about the surgeon…
Breast Cancer, Toast and Me
The day of the operation I’m asked if I want a sandwich or toast (for…
Breast Cancer, Blue Skies and Me
During the pandemic, the first lockdown, I took to writing short stories and it involved…
Blog – Lift Your Sisters Up
Following the Artistic Director’s request, the Open Clasp team are continuing to blog during these…
Somewhere in Time – Blog
Blog by Jessica Bennett (Arts Administrator during ‘lockdown’)As social distancing continues but lockdown is lifting,…