Heroine E-Book

Nessah Muthy

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

'We need to take back control, not politicians, not the police, us, the people, we are the power.' Young soldier Grace, following a medical discharge from the army, faces a daunting return to the UK. She struggles to find her place, her people. Post-conflict and in search of the friendship she's lost, Grace volunteers at a local community centre, bonding with other women. As her trust in the women grows, so does her confidence. She hasn't laughed like this for as long as she can remember, and she almost forgets she has a secret to keep. But as the group starts taking action, Grace's secret becomes harder to hide, and the trust she has built begins to fray. Forced to question the very foundations of her beliefs, Grace finds herself back on the front line, but who is she fighting? Patriotism, nativism and modern Britain collide in Nessah Muthy's devastating exploration of the UK today. Heroine was performed as part of HighTide Festival 2017 in a co-production with HighTide and Theatr Clwyd, directed by Steven Atkinson.

Leseprobe

Nessah Muthy

HEROINE

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Original Production

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Characters, Setting, Time, Note on Text

Heroine

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Heroine was producd by HighTide and Theatr Clwyd and first performed at the HighTide Festival, Aldeburgh, on 13 September 2017, with the following cast:

GRACE

Asmara Gabrielle

BEVERLEY

Maggie McCarthy

CHERYL

Wendy Morgan

WENDY

Lucy Thackeray

SHELLEY

Hannah Traylen

Director

Steven Atkinson

Design

Richard Kent

Lighting

Elliot Griggs

Sound Designer

Adrienne Quartly

Dramaturgical Support

Abigail Gonda,Carissa Hope Lynch

Casting Director

Louis Hammond CDG

Assistant Director

Charlotte Fraser

Production Manager

Heather Doole

Stage Manager

Roisin Symes

Costume Supervisor

Ryan Walklett

Heroine then transferred to the Sherman Theatre from 19–23 September, then HighTide Festival Walthamstow from 27 September–8 October before transferring to Theatr Clwyd from 18 October–4 November.

Acknowledgements

With eternal loving thanks to my family: Martin Mallon, Willow Mallon, Lee Parvin-Cooper, Hannah Parvin-Cooper, Carol Lacey, John Lacey, Andrew Mallon, Debra Mallon, Michael Mallon, Steven Mallon, Lana West, Tommy, Annie, Bella, Angel, Buffy, Spike and Darla.

Thanks to the incredible staff and teachers of The Beacon School who inspired me towards the arts and encouraged me to question the world: Jules Becker, Laine Bennet, Stuart Butcher and Adrian Penfold.

Thanks to my dearest friends and greatest supporters over the years: Helena Bell, Bobby Brook, Georgia Christou Dixon, Hasan Christou Dixon, Mona Goodwin, Debbie Hannan, Carissa Hope Lynch, Jen Holton, Trilby James, Helen Matravers, Fiona Skinner, Laura Turner, Nina Ward and Ria Zmitrowicz.

Thanks to those who’ve helped develop and given generously of their time to Heroine: Steven Atkinson and all at HighTide Theatre, Tamara Harvey, Bobby Brook, Abigail Gonda, Carissa Hope Lynch, Arts Council England and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation.

With extra-special thanks to the fantastic cast: Asmara Gabrielle, Maggie McCarthy, Wendy Morgan, Lucy Thackeray, Hannah Traylen and all the phenomenal actresses who’ve contributed to workshops/readings: Victoria Alcock, Debra Baker, Amelda Brown, Mona Goodwin, Lauren Lyle, Remmie Milner, Fiona Skinner and Ria Zmitrowicz.

N.M.

For my mum,Elizabeth Carol Parvin-Cooper

Characters

GRACE, mixed race, twenty-five

WENDY, thirty-five

CHERYL, fifty-four

BEVERLEY, sixty-eight

SHELLEY, twenty-one

And Esme, two months

Setting

A community centre.

Croydon, South London.

Time

2017.

Note on Text

A dash (–) indicates an interruption.

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

Scene One

A hall.

Thick curtains, an eighties print.

At one end is a kitchen with counter.

At the other, a group of women, WENDY, CHERYL BEVERLEY CHERYL