Exclusive Film Premier – ‘That Can’t of Happened’
Coming… May 2026
Professor David Thacker, Professor of Theatre and Film at the University and former Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton, has written and directed ‘That Can’t Have Happened!’.
The five women have been supported at Bolton-based Fortalice, and all have agreed that their words should be used exactly as transcribed and edited by David.
Played by Vicky Binns from Coronation Street, Isabel Ford, Bel Odawa, Eve Steele and Flo Wilson.
Fortalice provides frontline services in the community for all victims of domestic abuse, including refuge for women and children.
Its Chief Executive, Gill Smallwood MBE, accepted David’s proposal that he should create a play from verbatim transcripts of conversations with Fortalice residents, or survivors of domestic abuse who had been residents.
He met five women, and he recorded the conversations which lasted about 45 minutes each. He then edited and restructured the material to ensure a coherent narrative development, all the time collaborating with the women and Gill.
David said: “I am astonished by the generosity and courage of the five extraordinary women who have trusted me to help their voices be heard. They have been an inspiration to me and to the actors who have committed themselves to expressing their pain, fear, love and hope.”
Dr Smallwood said: “Domestic abuse is always difficult to talk about, but, due to the bravery of five women sharing their story, the play gives us an opportunity to hear the reality of how domestic abuse can affect victims and survivors.
