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.
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, 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, 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…
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,…
Humanity, Connection and Community
I’m writing this blog in a moment in time when there is a global…
Humanity, Connection and Community
I’m writing this blog in a moment in time when there is a global…
With Every Page Turned…
Friday the 2nd of November 1992 is the day my mam died, 3 months from…
With Every Page Turned…
Friday the 2nd of November 1992 is the day my mam died, 3 months from…
Echoes of Lesvos
Photo by Alison Child This was written on my first week back from the island…
Echoes of Lesvos
Photo by Alison Child This was written on my first week back from the island…