One Festival

Published: 20 January 2013
Reporter: Sandra Giorgetti

One Festival - The Space recognises the challenges and dedication of the solo performer

East London performing arts and community centre The Space is celebrating the solo performer in a festival of monologues running from 23 January to 3 February.

The venue has always featured a varied programme and supported new work and the One Festival showcases up and coming artists. There are sixteen solo performances in four sets over two weeks.

"We had over 100 applications to the festival and had to turn down some excellent pieces. The 16 we have selected will provide four distinct and thought-provoking programmes of solo work and we’re extremely confident each one will be well worth coming to see" says Adam Hemming, Artistic Director of The Space.

For information and booking online visit www.space.org.uk

Programme A

What do you think of it so far? written and performed by Chris Williams from Drunken Chorus: Chris Williams attempts to resurrect the tradition of the ‘double-act’ as a solo performer. The show explores what happens when one half of a ‘double-act’ disappears, deserts or even dies.

A Building with 27 Floors written by Jennifer Williams, directed by Alice Williams: timely and relevant, the piece is gently humorous as well as astute in its observation of the loneliness and isolation of big city life.

Programme B

Deirdre and Me written and performed by Rachael Halliwell: after a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012, this touching show about Susan White and her best friend, Deirdre Barlow from Coronation Street, returns to London.

Sacred Heart written and performed by Tim Blackwell: a prisoner is relating the ghastly details of what he’s just done… But has he done anything wrong? After all, he’s only done what God wanted him to do…

Carwash (It's not my name) written by Alison Porter, directed by Saskia Marland and performed by Ed Sheridan: Nikolai Simeonov, aka Carwash, has high hopes of becoming a professional footballer. After an accident at the gym he looks back on his experience of England.

Woman and the Wheel written and performed by Sarah Ruff: set in a world full of modern technological contraptions, a female Cyborg struggles to understand her ability as a creature that is able to reproduce.

Programme C

I am yours now written by David Frostick, performed by Hugo Trebels: when the hands of fate deal a couple a severe blow, options have become limited. I am yours now unsettles its audience by its ambiguity and leaves the audience to question their prejudices.

Heartless written by Sue Ashby, performed by Gemma Reynolds: Cass has sacrificed her own career to support her husband Rudi. When Rudi develops heart disease, she hopes he’ll at last recognise the love and support she’s given him.

Me and Mary Poppins written and performed by Gillian Steventon: Molly Parker quite by accident manages to create a life for herself that is much more fulfilling than joining a knitting circle. A little risky but she doesn’t seem to give a damn.

Retro Metro written by Samantha Bell, performed by Natalie Jamieson: overwhelmed by the unpleasantness of public transport, Vicky, after comically reliving a series of encounters with the ridiculous, is inspired to take action.

Butterfly written by Jeremy Tiang, performed by Tina Chiang: a gentle comedy about a Chinese waitress struggling to make her way in London.

Programme D

Yaaay! written and performed by Natasha Sutton-Williams: a hyperactive, blinking eight-year-old has three memories to tell. Three and a half, to be precise.

A Man on a Dancefloor written and performed by Sophie Rose: some of my smallest achievements and biggest failures have taken place on a dance floor—a poem about coping with hoping.

Counted Out written by Tim Blackwell, performed by Phillip Weddell: a story of existential dread. A hospital ward … a trauma patient could tell you exactly what happened. But would you believe him?

The Fantastic Reality of Frederick Goodge written and performed by Gerry Howell: a comedy about a man who becomes tragically embroiled in the world of fiction he creates.

Suffer the Little Children written by Edwin Preece, performed by Nathan Ampofo: Rory, 20, tells of his time at school with Jake. Jake and Rory would regularly bunk off to the woods where Jake would kill spiders and cats, and ultimately a human.

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