#bath spa live

[francescaswords]

Bath and Bristol friends, I'll be at Locksbrook Late Makers Market on 4th December (5-9pm) with signed copies of both my books and book merch plus some end-of-line stationery. It will be excellently cosy and there will be top notch local artisans there!

More info

[thetheatreblogger]

Küsse (Kiss)

such a beautiful physical theatre piece, it’s amazing what can be said without speaking and what can only be said if spoken. 

[thetheatreblogger]

Moonfleece

Hard Hitting political themes, fantastic writing, very thought provoking! excited to write this review! 

[life-is-brough-blog1]

Moonfleece - Phillip Ridley

With all honesty I didn't expect much from Phillip Ridley’s Moonfleece and never have I been so glad to be proved wrong. Written as a piece of theatre aimed specifically at young people I feared it would miss the mark with it either being to patronising and child-like, or being too preachy and way over our heads but Ridley clearly understood his audience perfectly as the play is beautifully mature and in no way condescending. The story-line contains an intricate web of political meets personal, identity, race and sexuality, truth and fairy-tale and at the heart of it a young man looking for the truth of his brothers disappearance.

Curtis, a member of a very right-wing political party, is haunted by the ghost of his brother and seeks to find out the truth of his death in his families old apartment; which is now in ruins and home to two squatters. The apartment set is the only one used and it is beautifully simplistic. Half erect walls, bare wooden frames and torn wallpaper along the back wall shows the abandonment of the apartment, but the clutter onstage and worn armchair show the presence of the squatters. One of these dwellers is revealed as knowing the fate of Curtis’ brother. He subsequently tells his story through an improvised fairy-tale and we are shown, through symbolism within his tale, what came to pass. The truth is discovered by Curtis and all involved and, to some, the ending of the play may feel unfinished; we don’t know what Curtis chooses to do with the revelations brought to light. To others this is a strength of the show, allowing us the chance to hope Curtis does what is right and just.

The play does end with UV lights coming up to reveal amongst the torn wallpaper a landscape of the fairy-tale that was told. An intricately simple play with a touching, reflecting ending. We all need more Phillip Ridley plays in our lives.

[life-is-brough-blog1]

DIk Downy (Pickled Image) clearly loved the reaction from Bath Spa Uni!!