How The Vote Was Won + Beyond

Witness a rare staging of one of the most famous suffragette plays – How The Vote Was Won – and consider how we today might pursue change through theatre.

The suffragettes have called a general strike, following a government declaration that women don't need the vote as they are all looked after by men. All the women who have previously supported themselves agree to leave their jobs and homes and instead insist on support from their nearest male relative. Set in the living room of Horace and Ethel Cole, we see Horace's female relatives arrive one by one, unwilling to leave until he realises something must be done.

Following How The Vote Was Won, there will be three performances of new writing. Featuring cast members from the original play, these response plays will reflect on the ‘then and now’ of feminism, and how people today might help further women’s rights in a creative and progressive way, just as the suffragette plays of the past did.

We're so excited to be able to deliver this piece of suffragette history surrounded by the Represent! Voices 100 Years On exhibition at People's History Museum, and would invite all audience members to explore the exhibition before or after the show. 

We're currently crowdfunding in order to pay for the production costs required to put this event on. If you both donate (any amount) and attend the show, you will be entered into a raffle to win a copy of The Methuen Drama Book Of Suffrage Plays, featuring How The Vote Was Won.

Donations can be made to our Just Giving page here. Just make sure your name is clearly stated so we can match them up!

Due to unforeseen nature of the content from the new writing, which won't be finished until nearer the show date, we recommend this event to be suitable for ages 12+.

Additional Information

Date: Sat 26 Jan

Time: Doors at 2.10pm for a 2.30pm start

Venue: The Coal Store Conference Room at People’s History Museum

Cost: £5 (plus booking fees)