Take Back

Take Back Take Back is a political theatre collective, founded by actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, writer Rebekah Harrison and visual artist Grant Archer.

Take Back Theatre was set up by actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, writer Becx Harrison and visual artist Grant Archer, as an artistic response to the politics of austerity, commissioning urgent short script in hand pieces of theatre, in response to social and political events. We have also moved into more installation based work, creating immersive work that explores political and social issues in more depth. Take Back is about coming together as an artistic community, and starting a conversation.

14/04/2026

Good morning all
Very belatedly a huge thank you to all who came to see My Name is Rachel Corrie at 53Two in March.
Congratulations to Harriet Bibby for an astonishing powerhouse of a performance and to Ian Kershaw for beautiful direction. Special mention to our own Grant Archer for his fantastic design and George Miller for the lighting and for running the whole thing.
We had a powerful after show discussion on the final Sunday with Ra Page from Comma Press and Dr Mona El-Farra, an incredible human being and human rights activist who had met Rachel in Gaza before her death.
Lots of people asked for a resource page, and although this is not definitive by any measure, please find below some suggestions, provided by Ra. We are so grateful.
The situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. Please help if you can.

Sheffield Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund
https://www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk/?page_id=157
This funds Palestinian women to do Masters and PhDs within Palestine.

Durham Palestine Educational Trust
https://durhampalestine.webspace.durham.ac.uk/scholarships/
Funds occasional post-grad placements in the UK/Durham uni
Run by Bill and Diane Williamson

Gaza Scholarships Initiative (GSI) run by Dr. Nora Parr at Birmingham Uni. Not sure if they're asking for donations but Nora is a literal lifesaver, putting pressure on the government and coordinating over 60 student visas/evacuations last autumn (including those of Sondos and Reem, who Julie had the honour of meeting and working with).
Academics who want to help should definitely get in touch with her if they want to support- we can provide further info if required.

Relief charities

Sheffield PSC Emergency Relief funds:
https://sheffield-palestine-cultural-exchange.org.uk/emergency-relief-fund-updates/
and SPACE:
https://www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk/?page_id=3149
One of the most transparent and efficient ways of supporting relief work in Gaza right now.

MECA (Middle East Childrens Alliance)
https://www.mecaforpeace.org/
Gaza head: Mona El Farra

MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians)
https://www.map.org.uk/

DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee)
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/middle-east-humanitarian-appeal

Save the Children in Gaza
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/how-you-can-help/emergencies/gaza-crisis

Islamic Relief, Palestine Appeal:
https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/giving
/appeals/palestine/

Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine
https://gmfriendsofpalestine.org/
[email protected]

https://childrennotnumbers.org/

rachelcorriefoundation.org

The Amnesty silent vigil that Kersh talked about takes place outside Central Library every Friday 5-6pm.

With our love and gratitude
Take Back Team x

20/03/2026

POST- SHOW DISCUSSION with Dr. Mona El-Farra - Sunday 22nd March

We will be joined after our final show of My Name is Rachel Corrie on Sunday by Dr. Mona El-Farra for a post-show discussion.

Dr. Mona El-Farra is a human rights activist and dermatologist from Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip. She is the Director of Gaza Projects for the Middle East Children’s Alliance (Meca) and a former Health Chair of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society of the Gaza Strip.

Through her human rights activism, she has worked alongside many international solidarity activists in Gaza, including Rachel Corrie.

As a member of the Union of Health Work Committees, Dr El-Farra was instrumental in honouring Rachel Corrie’s legacy with the opening of the Rachel Corrie Children’s Centre in Rafah She remains in touch with Rachel’s family in the US.

Come and join us - tickets here:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/null/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/e-kqyepd

Only four performances left- do not miss your chance to see My Name Is Rachel Corrie with the fantastic directed by Ian...
17/03/2026

Only four performances left- do not miss your chance to see My Name Is Rachel Corrie with the fantastic
directed by Ian Kershaw.
Photos by our fave

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/null/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/e-kqyepd

We highly recommend booking in advance-
Selling fast.
Sunday 22nd 5pm - BSL Performance and a post show discussion

“Today, we commemorate 23 years since the killing of Rachel Corrie. Rachel was murdered as she attempted to use her body...
16/03/2026

“Today, we commemorate 23 years since the killing of Rachel Corrie. Rachel was murdered as she attempted to use her body and her privilege to prevent the destruction of the Nasrallah family home in Gaza. On that day, two Israeli soldiers in an armored Caterpillar bulldozer ran over Rachel and stole the life of a young woman who had committed her life to peace and justice.

Rachel represented the very best of the values of the social justice movement. Moved by empathy and solidarity, she refused to be diverted, and demanded attention to the horrors inflicted by the powerful and the wealthy on the displaced and marginalized. Rachel’s actions were motivated by a deep and powerful understanding of solidarity, unity, and collective sacrifice.

Her allegiance to humanity is a reminder to all of us of our relative privilege and our obligation to speak out against injustice no matter the cost. She inspired her parents and so many across the world to commit to a life of activism and agitation to shake up the unbearable status quo. Rachel’s work and her sacrifice continue to serve as our inspiration to fight alongside those who feel forgotten, those who rage against injustice, and those who dream of a kinder, brighter future.”

Text shared from Rachel Corrie Foundation

Meet the Director of My Name Is Rachel Corrie… it’s Ian Kershaw’s directorial debut and we couldn’t be any more proud to...
13/03/2026

Meet the Director of My Name Is Rachel Corrie… it’s Ian Kershaw’s directorial debut and we couldn’t be any more proud to be producing it. The passion, specificity, care and sheer love for the works that he has poured into directing (and helping to produce) this play shines through in the piece that he and Harriet have created. We cannot wait to share it with audiences.
If you haven’t got your tickets :

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/null/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/e-kqyepd

We open a week today! We feel so lucky to be working with the incredible, talented and all round brilliant Harriet Bibby...
11/03/2026

We open a week today! We feel so lucky to be working with the incredible, talented and all round brilliant Harriet Bibby (she’s also one of the loveliest humans you’ll ever meet) - but don’t just take our word for it, come and see her as Rachel next week…
Have you got your tickets yet?

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/null/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/e-kqyepd

18/01/2026

OUR NEXT SHOW…
We’re really proud to be working with the amazing and talented Harriet Bibby and Ian Kershaw to produce this powerful play. My Name Is Rachel Corrie, taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie, edited by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner, coproduced by 53Two and on from 18-21 March 2026.
We’d love you to join us.
Tickets here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/null/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/e-kqyepd

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