The second fringe show in our ‘Fringe Spotlight’ blog series is Peter Barratt’s, who is performing in the Fringe for the first time with his show ‘Vote 100 – Alive Hawkins – Suffragette’. Take a look at the interview here. You can buy tickets for the show HERE
Can you tell us a bit about your show and your inspiration for it?
My show is a passionate and ultimately uplifting account of my suffragette great-grandmother’s campaign for the right to vote over a 100 years ago. Alice, a shoe machinist by trade, wanted equal pay for women but came to realize after years of lawful campaigning that, without the vote, women had very limited ability to make positive change in their lives.
I first learnt of Alice as a young boy when my grandfather would tell me of his mother Alice and of how he would often go on the suffragette marches with her. Women’s history in the making and granddad was there! Actress and ‘sister suffragette’ Ruth Pownall will be supporting me with readings from Alice’s own notes of the day, including her prison diary and a very moving and personal letter from Emily Pankhurst.
Will this be your first time performing at The Fringe, and if so what are you most looking forward to?
This is my first time performing at the Fringe, I am a management accountant by profession! Whilst I have spoken of Alice’s life to many audiences, my only acting claim to fame to date is being invited by Director Sarah Gavron to be an extra in the recent film ‘Suffragette’. Also I am looking forward to showing the audience the fantastic memorabilia that once belonged to Alice and still with the family to this day. The power point images of her hunger strike medal, arrest warrant and more give the talk true and outstanding provenance. There are also some surprises for the audience as well, such as the unwavering support of her husband Alfred.
You first gave this talk at the UK Parliament last year, how do you think the audience will differ?
I am very much hoping that the audience will reflect the international diversity of the Fringe and perhaps will be the key difference from those who came to hear my talk at the UK Parliament last year, as part of Women’s History Month. Whilst the Fringe audience may be from many countries, the issue of placing value on the right to vote and women’s rights will be a common bond with all.
In this day and age, how relevant and important do you believe this story, and that of the Suffragettes, to be?
Alice campaigned for women’s rights a 100 years ago and many of those issues are still with us today, primarily for Alice being equal pay and working conditions. I believe many hearing her story will see the parallels and relevance with current campaigns for improving the rights of women. Importantly as the UK approaches the centenary of women’s suffrage here in the UK early next year, it will be not only be a time of commemoration but also reflection on the injustices we still have in the world today.
