A NEW play exploring the day-to-day reality of domestic abuse is being staged in aid of Gloucestershire's only women's refuge.

Every year, thousands of women and children are forced to flee the violence in their own homes.

For these families, a refuge is more than just a safe place, it is a place where they can regain the strength to build new lives.

But due to funding cuts, many refuges have been forced to close.

In Gloucestershire, Stroud Women’s Refuge is now the only one left.

Journeymen Theatre's Rock And A Hard Place is being launched in three venues across Gloucestershire, to raise money for the refuge, before touring the UK.

The play focuses on Kayleigh, a talented teenager whose life should be full of promise. Instead, she finds herself in a cycle of domestic abuse from which there seems to be no escape until her Auntie Jan helps her to find a way out.

Based on a true story, together with the combined true life experiences shared by other women, the play explores the complex nature of domestic abuse, ranging from coercion in its many forms to women’s deaths at the hands of abusive partners.

Rock and A Hard Place also reveals the impact of funding cuts on the refuge system and on the support available.

Whilst the topic is sombre, the troupe have endeavoured to ensure the play is lively and entertaining, as well as thought provoking.Commissioned by Gloucestershire Quakers, all profits from the play will be used to support the work of women’s refuges both in the Gloucestershire area and nationally.

The production will be shown at :

Stroud Subscription Rooms on February 28 at 7.30pm.

Chantry Centre, Dursley on March 3 at 4pm.

International Women's Day Special - Sundial Theatre, Cirencester on March 8, at 7.30pm.