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“Another story by great storytellers!”
TOURING WIDELY – see schedule so far by scrolling down
A few slots available for venues to programme us!
Call and talk to our Booking Officer, Marta Vella on: +44 7769 385139
or if unavailable for more information AsOne Artistic Director, Jane McKell on: 01305 835541/ 07778 737700
The isolated communities of the Isle of Portland on the Dorset coast are shocked to discover the notorious sex campaigner Marie Stopes has bought the Higher Lighthouse. She hopes it will be her refuge from the storms battering her on the mainland. A collision of cultures is inevitable. How will she change the Islanders’ ways of thinking and how will she be changed by Portland?
Dr Marie Stopes transformed how we think about sex. One of the 20th Century’s most controversial women, her strong views provided graphic understanding of pleasure and consequence of sex. Vilified then by the Catholic Church, Marie Stopes still provokes today. But apart from her work, who was the real Marie Stopes?
Escaping the Storm finds Stopes on Portland; writing, exploring fossil forests, skinny-dipping, and interacting with the locals. Fascinating and formidable – Marie Stopes’ complex private world as controversial as her public one.
This first play about Marie Stopes marks 100 years from the publication of Married Love, selected by Melvyn Bragg as one of “12 Books that Changed the World”.
An ensemble of four performers give life to this thought-provoking piece of storytelling by playwright/director Peter John Cooper.
For those who wish to stay there is an optional post-performance Q & A with the AsOne ensemble.
(12 date Autumn Tour now completed)
Touring Dates Spring 2019
Four private school dates in Dorset
Wed 16 Jan
The Corn Exchange Dorchester Arts
High East Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1HF
BO: 01305 266926
enquiries@dorchester art.org.uk
*
Thurs 31 Jan
Spring Arts and Heritage Centre
56, East Street., Havant, Hants PO9 1BS
BO: 023 9247 2700 or http://thespring.co.uk/
*
Fri 1 Feb
Winchester Discovery Centre
Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB
BO: 01962 873603 or https://www.hants.gov.uk/wdc
*
Sat 02 Feb
The Athenaeum Centre
18 – 20 High Street, Warminster, BA12 9AE
BO: 01985 213891 or Ticket Source: 0333 666 3366
*
Tues 5 Feb
Tacchi Morris Arts Centre
School Road, Taunton, Somerset. TA2 8PD
Box Office: 01823 414141
*
Wed 06 Feb
Regal Theatre
10-16 The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5AY
BO: 01643 706430
mail@regaltheatre.co.uk
*
Thurs 07 Feb
Everyman Theatre, Studio
Regent Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1HQ
BO: 01242 572573 or admin@everymantheatre.org.uk
*
Frid 08 Feb
Princess Theatre and Arts Centre
Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. TA8 1EH
info@theprincesstheatre.co.uk
BO: 01278 784464
*
Sat 09 Feb
Palace Theatre, Paignton
Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3HF
BO: 01803 665800 or 01803 522522
*
Thurs 14 Feb
Weymouth Pavilion Theatre
The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 8ED
BO: 01305 783225 or https://weymouthpavilion.com/month/february
*
01305 835541/ info@as-onetheatre.co.uk/janemckell@btinternet.com
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Touring Again from April 2019 MARY ANNING’S FOSSIL DEPOT
“Can I just say how blown away I was by the event. I have to say I went with little expectation and was well…. totally amazed. The children were totally drawn into the event and the life of Mary. There was so much information on Mary’s life and what she achieved in such a short space of time. The audience interaction along with the story telling was a perfect match. I would not hesitate to recommend a performance by your company. Well done to both Jane and EltJo a truly amazing show. Thank you.”
bookings considered for an extended tour in libraries, schools, and arts centres
Call 01305 835541
Mary Anning’s Fossil Depot
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It is said that Mary Anning, born in Lyme Regis in 1799, was a placid baby; then struck by lightning she became bright and talkative. Not only did little Mary survive, but at 11 years old she & her brother Joseph found the first complete Ichthyosaur fossil. Self-taught, Mary went on to be an inspiration, shaking the 19th Century world of science. ‘Mary Anning Fossil Depot’ is an, entertaining performance, packed-full of interactive fun, facts, & adventure on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Mary, aided & abetted by her brother Joseph, looks back at an inspiring life led with a passion for hunting & understanding fossils; struggles with poverty & self-education. This special story is interwoven by a string of ‘Curios’ – small fossils which Mary & Joseph introduce for the children to handle: ‘Snakestones’, ‘Devil’s Toenails’, ‘Ladies Fingers’ – each sold for a penny by the Anning’s to put food on the table. Mary Anning went on to prove with desire and determination, whoever you are, you can achieve great things.
Libraries & Schools Live Tour – Free Theatre for all Children
‘I’ve heard nothing but wonderful reviews for the Fisherman’s Daughter.’
Touring again due to it’s big success with audiences
THE FISHERMAN’s DAUGHTER
Feb-March 2017 – Theatres, Libraries & Primary Schools
Part I Sea-Monsters & Pirates
‘Through a chance meeting – with middle aged, redundant librarian, Moira and a hilarious, one-legged seagull, Harold – ten year old Jess discovers the healing magic of books. Waiting for her fisherman father ‘s return one stormy night, young Jess faces her fears dreaming of shipwrecks, sea-monsters, treasure, & survival. A rollicking adventure with literacy and an inter-generational exchange at its heart.’
Part II Jess’s Odyssey
The Fisherman’s Daughter Jess loves reading but Homer’s Odyssey confuses her. Up pops a stranger, who just happens to have the same name as the author. Homer, a Greek boy from a trawler in the harbour, holds a very bedraggled one legged seagull he has rescued from the water. All three go on an Odyssey. But where is the colourful librarian, Moira?
AsOne’s Artistic Director, Jane McKell said:
“The audiences invited, love making the sounds of the storm, the waves, the wind, and seagulls; for each and everyone there are characters to empathise with. One father said: ‘My daughter loved it. Even grumpy grandpas thought it was brill.’ It’s been a joy hearing families leave the theatre chatting away about what they have seen and enjoyed together. The piece has real heart and is cleverly written with several layers for adults, children, and toddlers to engage with.”
With funding from Arts Council of England, the original play was commissioned by Weymouth’s Leviathan Maritime Literary Festival last Easter 2016; is returning to the 2017 Festival; and has toured to packed libraries, schools and theatres this year.
available for your theatre, primary school, library, literary festival or community space
If you are a school or theatre we are booking now – tel: 01305 835541 / 07778737700
Interspersed by a tour of Primary Schools
01225463362imary Schools
James Farquharson Weymouth Leviathan Maritime Literary Festival Founder:
‘I’ve heard nothing but wonderful reviews for the Fisherman’s Daughter. Apart from everyone else, my eldest daughter and father in law attended the 14:30 pm. She loved it, especially the bit where she had to make storm noises, and even grumpy old grandpops was very energised by the experience,”It was brilliant,” he said.’
Originally Commissioned by The Leviathan Weymouth – Maritime Literary Festival 12-13 March 2016
Various premiere Leviathan audience members:‘Brilliant’, ‘Better than a visit to the doctors’, ‘Harold was hilarious’, ‘Two very talented performers’, ‘A wonderful play, both touching and very funny’ ‘Very striking, stripped-back set.’
Spring February – April 2017
A double-bill: The Fisherman’s Daughter and Jess’s Odyssey
( coming next February, a companion piece to The Fisherman’s Daughter, Jess’s Odyssey – enquire on the numbers above)
Jess’s Odyssey
Fisherman’s Daughter Jess now loves reading, and books fill the hours of waiting for her dad. But reading Homer’s Odyssey strange words, names and places confuse her. Frustrated she throws down the book and up pops a stranger who just happens to share the name of the writer. Homer is a Greek boy from a trawler moored in the harbour. He tells Jess that a woman, Moira, has been kidnapped and held below decks. Jess is in disbelief until he produces a bedraggled Harold, the one legged seagull. They revive Harold, and all three set off on their own odyssey to rescue Moira.
Book NOW – please do call us on 01305 835541 o0r 07778 737700 to book us for your venue: primary school, library, village hall, theatre, or arts centre.