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A group of amateur performers has taken to the stage for the first time to raise awareness about domestic abuse and violence through a powerful theatre show.

Five members of the Melodramatics theatre group, three Bolton at Home staff members and Bolton actor Gary Hanks performed ‘Seeing Red’ at Bolton Octagon Theatre this week.

The play, created by the women themselves with support from writers and directors at The Octagon, explored how the simple choosing of a bra can have devastating consequences for women in abusive relationships.

It was performed to audiences over two nights to raise awareness of domestic violence, empower victims to take action, and encourage support agencies to talk to each other about what more can be done to support those affected.

Seeing Red also included a post-show discussion and question and answer session with the cast, as well as Carole Marsden from domestic abuse charity Paws for Kids and Detective Sergeant Jenny Zebrowski from the Greater Manchester Police Domestic Abuse Unit.

Melodramatics is a women’s theatre group which is run by Bolton at Home in partnership with the Octagon Theatre, giving members the chance to write a script, perform in a theatre and highlight important issues through arts engagement.

Group member Gill Brown said: “We’re doing this to get word out to those experiencing abuse or violence at home. Don’t feel you have to suffer in silence. We want people to know they can get help and don’t have to stay trapped in such a relationship.”

Fellow member Kelly Heselwood added: “We’ve drawn on personal experiences to create this story and our play asks questions. What should the characters do next? We wanted to create a conversation with the aim of positive change.

“Being part of Melodramatics has given us the confidence to do something of this nature in front of large audiences. We always want to new members to come along to our weekly sessions but not worry that they’ll be thrown in at the deep-end. It’s about being part of something in whichever way you’re comfortable with – in the writing, behind the scenes or on stage. We never thought we’d be doing this when we joined 18 months ago and now we’re getting so much from it.”

Dawn Yates-Obe, Housing Arts Officer for Bolton at Home, said: “After creative writing and drama workshops proved popular at the local UCAN centre, we partnered with the Octagon Theatre to work with the group and develop members’ interests in the arts, as well as bring women together and introduce them to the UCAN centre’s services.

“The group has gone from strength to strength, raising awareness of important issues and increasing self-esteem among members. Seeing Red has been very well received and will hopefully be a catalyst for the group to develop further.”

The Melodramatics group meets every Thursday 12.30pm – 2.30pm at New Bury Community Building on George Street.

Pictured are Lindsey Raines and Gary Hanks, in a scene from the play Seeing Red.