Stories That Hit Home

05/04/2026

The string of performances at the Oxford Playhouse Burton Taylor Studio were a massive success, ‘Motherhood’ was performed three times across 3 highly sold nights and a series of community performances ended the night with a bang….

People with lived experiences of knife crime decided to share pieces of work with a resounding message - You are not alone…

Massive love and respect to everyone involved and those who came to watch!

28/03/2026

TUESDAY THE 31st IS SOLD OUT!!!

Fortunately for anyone who still wanted to see the main play and watch the film we produced, the 1st and 2nd are both still available!

Get booking - Don’t miss out entirely 🔥🔥🔥

17/03/2026

'MotherHood' is on as part of a double bill together with Stories That Hit Home - a project that gives a creative voice to people affected by knife crime in Oxford.
Come and hear real stories about knife crime directly from the people who've been affected.
Following the show on each night:
Tuesday 31 March features live performances from participants.
Wednesday 1 & Thursday 2 April features a short film of the participants sharing their work & their experiences.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A Youngish Perspective
"An extremely honest and moving piece... I have never seen a play that feels this real."

Lisa opens the door at 2am and tries to hang on to normal.

Experience this solo show exploring knife crime as a mother confronts the unfamiliar world her son has entered.

Motherhood
📍 Burton Taylor Studio
Tue 31 Mar – Thu 2 Apr
🎟️ Book now: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/motherhood-2

27/02/2026

Our first London date. Performances will be followed by the short film 'Stories That Hit Home' and after Friday's performance a panel discussion with local representatives

MotherHood | Fri 6 - Sat 7 Mar

A woman opens the door at two in the morning and tries to hang on to normal. This solo show explores the world of knife crime from a fresh perspective as a woman is forced to confront the unfamiliar world her son has collided with and compromise on what she thinks she believes in.

"Lot of legal stuff being said that I don’t even get and they ask if I’m an appropriate adult. Well yeah... I’m his mum?’

Based on real events and lived experience, this story is told with an original soundscape created by In-Spire Sounds and the voices of young people who have developed music with them through the ‘Inspiring Change Through Music’ project.

MotherHood is the state of being a mother, but what if you’re a mother in a state?

Book now: https://osoarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173669506

21/02/2026

Our film featuring the loved ones of people with lived experience of knife violence is out now… Heartfelt, raw and gritty stories from 6 amazing women working with the Stories That Hit Home team…

Not stories that hit the headlines, but stories that hit home 🏡

FULL FILM HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jD1y-xmwH4&t=443s

15/02/2026

‘Stories That Hit Home: The Hidden Impact of Knife Crime’ out next Saturday the 21st of Feb

An incredible collection of accounts from women affected by knife crime. We shot this short documentary last year with some incredibly talented project participants with whom we ran a writing workshop series, focused around their experiences.

Directed by Samuel Mansell
Exec Producer Claire Nelson
DOP Blessing Kapswarah
Prod company Drop All Words Media
On location Oxford Atelier
Edit & musical score by Samuel Mansell

21/11/2025

Workshop tomorrow in Oxford.
If you've been affected by knife crime we want to help you find your voice and give you a platform to share your story.
There will be a performance next year for anyone who wants to share their work at the Burton Taylor Studio, alongside MotherHood.
https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/motherhood-2

18/11/2025

'I have never seen a play that feels this real'
https://ayoungishperspective.co.uk/2024/09/16/review-motherhood/

14/11/2025

Our next workshop is tomorrow - Saturday 15 November.
If you've been affected by knife crime come and share your story.

Rather than focussing on victims and perpetrators this project focuses on the impact on how families and friends are affected.

There will also be an opportunity to make your voice heard by performing your writing at both a community performance and at the Burton Taylor Theatre in Oxford.

If you know anyone affected by knife crime please share.

11/11/2025

Stories That Hit Home presents 'Motherhood'. This solo show by writer/performer Claire Nelson explores the world of knife crime from a fresh perspective as a woman is forced to confront the unfamiliar world her son has collided with and compromise on what she thinks she believes in. Based on real events and lived experience, this story is told with an original soundscape created by youth project In-Spire Sounds and the voices of young people affected by knife violence.

Wednesday 19th November, 6pm at the Royal & Derngate: Northampton.

Tickets are available from the link here:
https://royalandderngate.co.uk/.../genfest-2025-motherhood/

10/11/2025

Based on real events and my own lived experience this story is told with an original soundscape created by In-Spire Sounds and the voices of young people who have developed music with them through the ‘Inspiring Change Through Music’ project.
In-Spire supports 12 --25 year olds facing a range of adversities from mental ill-health, isolation and anxiety to risk of criminal, drug and sexual exploitation.