Staged readings of the first play by a woman and the first play by a black writer to be staged by Gay Sweatshop.
Any Woman Can was first performed in Leicester in 1975 with Miriam Margolyes as Ginny before becoming the first play to be toured by Gay Sweatshop’s women’s company. It explores a young woman’s self-discovery growing up as a lesbian in the sexually repressive atmosphere of the 1950s and 60s. In Twice Over a young woman Evaki confronts the reality of the relationship between her grandmother Cora and her best friend Maeve after Cora’s death as Maeve at first finds herself excluded from the family unable to share her grief.
Followed by a Q&A with, we hope, individuals from the original cast.
Jill Posener has been a stage manager, director, ground-breaking photographer, activist and playwright and now runs PAW Fund charity that supports animal welfare in Berkeley, California.
Jackie Kay is an acclaimed Scottish poet, playwright and novelist, currently serving as the Makar or poet laureate of Scotland. Twice Over was her first play while her second Chiaroscuro was staged in 1986 by Theatre of Black Women.
Produced by Unfinished Histories, supported by New Unity. Directed by Barcy Cogdale.
Visit Unfinished Histories: Recording the History of the Alternative Theatre Movement where you can discover more about Gay Sweatshop, Theatre of Black Women and numerous other companies and individuals.
This reading forms part of the events programme for the PICTURE THIS: ILLUSTRATING THE NEWS: THE CARTOONS & ILLUSTRATIONS OF GAY NEWS & CAPITAL GAY exhibition at Newington Green Meeting House.