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The Royal Exchange and LSTM: B!RTH

B!RTH was first launched in October 2016: a unique global initiative that brought the arts and science together to raise debate around the issue of global health inequality through the lens of childbirth.

Two actresses at a rehearsed reading of one of the B!RTH plays

The project was developed in partnership between the Oglesby Charitable Trust and the Royal Exchange Theatre. B!RTH commissioned 7 female writers from Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Syria, UK and USA to write new plays which were performed at the RET, alongside daily debate sessions and a significant outreach programme.

In 2017, the Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine began delivery of the B!RTH Legacy project. This second phase worked to translate the stories from the plays into practical action – using CMNH’s networks to bring the issues raised to key decision makers and influence improved practice and outcomes for women.

Read more about OCT’s reflections on the project here.