Went to see this wonderful new play by Charlotte Keatley at the weekend and was bowled over.
The First Act lays down the groundwork for the whole play but, as with a jigsaw puzzle, you can't quite see how it is all going to come together.
In Act Two however, after the interval, the piece begins to coalesce. It's an uncomfortable experience to watch as a man, but makes a forthright statement about the way in which we as men affect women's view of themselves and their lives.
Faye Winter was extraordinarily good in the piece; playing the anchoress is a difficult call, but she brought real depth to the depiction of this troubled and lonely girl who chooses to cut herself off from the world. What was wonderful is that she made the historical aspect of this play so moving, and so made the connection with the contemporary story so vital.
Faye is a fantastic actress, perhaps the best I have ever worked with. And her secret? She commits totally to the character; physically and emotionally, and looks to find out where that journey takes her.
I'd like to teach this text next year as one of the AS Drama, Unit One plays; Faye has said she'd love to contribute to that. How lucky will you be to have an actress who has been part of the process of putting on this play for the first time; who has worked with the playwright in rehearsal, to work with you in the classroom.
This is what CLFS Drama is all about!
