The University of Winchester, in conjunction with The Nutshell arts centre, is staging a free show to commemorate International Women’s Day.

The performance, scheduled for Saturday March 16, will showcase a script-in-hand rendition of Lucy Kirkwood's play, Maryland. The performance brings together students, young people, and the local community to probe the subject of violence against women.

Maryland was written by Kirkwood across two days, provoked by the murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman and Zara Aleena, all within a short space of time.

Ms Kirkwood said: "This play was for many years a private conversation with myself - a way of expressing what I feel about a culture of violence against women. But I am sharing it because I wonder if it might express a little of what other people feel about it too."

Beyond its serious themes, the play is 'funnier than you might expect', with a chorus of modern-day 'Furies' expressing 'anger, disbelief, despair and bouts of unsettling humour'.

The performance starts at 7pm, with doors open from 6.30pm.

The 40-minute performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast and company.

The Nutshell, in Kings Walk, will remain open for an hour post-performance to allow for attendees to mingle and reflect while enjoying refreshments from the bar.

Although the event is free, donations will be collected on behalf of Rape Crisis England & Wales.

An exhibition featuring images, posters and screen work by students from the University’s School of Media and Film will be on display at The Nutshell from March 9 until March 16, to coincide with the 'Maryland' performance.