The premiere of actor and disability activist Melissa Johns' debut play SNATCHED is at The Lowry, Salford, on May 13-14.
Johns stars in the production, which will transfer to London’s Soho Theatre from May 16-18, ahead of a UK tour.
In 2018 the Salford-based actor’s iCloud was hacked and explicit photos of her were published online. SNATCHED is her response to this act; a humorous and revealing show that champions female sexuality and fights body shaming and the taboo of sex and disability.
SNATCHED has been in development since 2019 as part of Developed With, The Lowry’s flagship artist-development programme.
Johns is currently appearing as series regular Miss Scott in the seventh series of ITV’s Grantchester, as well as making her West End debut in the Donmar Warehouse production of Henry V alongside Kit Harington. She has also appeared as Hannah Taylor in BBC’s LIFE, Imogen Pascoe in Coronation Street and 2021’s line-up of Celebrity Masterchef. She is also the co-founder of disability organisation TripleC/DANC and has also won awards for her work, championing women and the disabled community.
Antonia Beck, senior producer of artist development at The Lowry, said: “We can't wait for audiences to experience this new production, which taps into very current conversations about body dysmorphia and body shaming.”
Following the production’s runs in Salford and London, SNATCHED will tour to the Unity Theatre in Liverpool (June 16); Bolton Octagon (June 18); Northern Stage, Newcastle (June 21-22), and theatres in Guildford, Corsham, Cardiff and Hereford.
The Lowry will also stream the production live on June 14 as part of its commitment to making theatre accessible for everyone; there will also be a British Sign Language interpretation at one performance (and at the performances in Liverpool, Cardiff and Newcastle).