|
****
"With its quick and witty script, A lot of It About is a thoughtful piece of theatre"
Whatsonstage |
"an entertaining, but culturally relevant piece - an affecting story that builds towards a conclusion that for once is laden with hope. Thoroughly recommended."
The Fiction Stroker, Manchester |
"bursting with hope and humour"
The Yorkshire Times |
"filled out lavishly with Hopkins' sharp and sometimes subtle humour - a responsible and engaging portrayal of a very sensitive issue which needs a good airing"
Nerve Magazine, Merseyside |
Requirements:
CAST: Minimum of 4 men, 2 women, in assorted roles
STAGING: Simple, flexible
LENGTH: 70 mins |
Brief Synopsis:
Ben, a teacher, has struggled to come to terms with his sexuality since his early twenties when he underwent sex-aversion therapy. Now fifty-something, unfulfilled and trapped in a loveless marriage, he argues with his younger self and revisits key events in his life.A Lot of it About was inspired by the real-life experiences of someone who was a victim of this regime. |
First presented by:
Organised Chaos Productions, at The Lowry, Salford Quays on April 2013, and subsequently at: Square Chapel, Halifax; The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool; Oldham Coliseum Theatre and the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton Opera House.
CAST: Michael Whittaker, Brian Gorman or Daniel Thackeray, Kate Mitchell, John Dayton, Tracy Gabbitas and Sanjay Sutar.
DIRECTOR: Alex Shepley
DESIGNER: Kat Allan |
Ben:
There are days when it's like someone's grabbing my throat - squeezing me so I can hardly breathe. All I can do is yell inwardly, helplessly, - but no one hears. They're all on the outside, scurrying around in this surreal world. I'm moving among them, hearing, seeing - but not one of them.
On a bad day I'll be walking along a narrow, stony path. It's blowing a gale. Inches away there's this big, black drop. Part of me wants to jump, fall into nothingness - but a voice says I don't deserve it; oblivion' too good for me.
Other times, everything's brighter, calmer; but the drop's still there.Still taking the edge off thingsMenacing. |
|
Original production images:
Images by Organised Chaos Productions. |
Original production trailer:
Featuring Tracy Gabbitas and Brian Gorman with the voices of Katy Mitchell and Sanjay Sutar. A Lot of It About written by Ned Hopkins and directed by Alex Shepley. Trailer shot and edited by Daniel Thackeray (damnablethackeray's channel), with music by Minute Taker (www.minutetaker.net). |
|