Navigating loss is a facet of life we’re often unprepared for, the experience one confronted differently by everyone. The loss of a partner one that leaves you heartbroken, an incomplete love that leaves a relationship unfinished and with plenty of ‘what ifs?’ Contemplating this reality in her latest play ‘Squeak’, writer Francesca Mepham returns with an update on her 2024 work which premiered at the Lion and Unicorn Pub Theatre as part of a festival of scratch readings. Since then, she’s adapted her ghost story play – about a couple’s day today post grief into a full length play, broadening the world initially established before. Ahead of the reading, to take place on Tuesday 29th September at the Drayton Arms Pub Theatre, Francesca tells us more about exploring the play’s narrative further, what she’s learned from developing the play and what audiences can expect from the reading.
Hi Fran, you’ll be returning with a rehearsed reading of your latest play ‘Squeak’ at the Drayton Arms Pub Theatre on Tuesday 29th September. How are you feeling ahead of the reading?
The funeral of a loved one can be that life changing event that brings together long lost relatives and friends who otherwise wouldn’t have connected, or through time have lost contact. A time to say final goodbyes, the confrontation of life and death is stark. Exploring what these interactions look like, Blue Pear Productions’ Drop Dead reunites six souls all brought together to rehearse the funeral of Mr Bebach, an enigmatic wealthy extraordinaire. What ensues is an absurd encounter, one filled with plenty of comical twists and turns.
A crucial time period for the formation of new ideas, lockdown has seen with it many new creations – the importance of creating platforms for fellow creatives an important one that was already part of our theatrical tradition, but appreciated that much more post lockdown, with exciting work produced by emerging theatre talent. Having become the Little Lion Theatre Company’s Artistic Director during lockdown, Kay Brattan was inspired to curate the company’s very first scratch event showcasing the work of Canada based talent. Paired up with UK based creatives, the scratch event will showcase 15 new works at the early stages of development at the Drayton Arms Pub Theatre. Ahead of the event, Kay tells us more about what to expect!