Theatre / coexist
Preview: Over The Top, Hamilton House
Bath-based theatre company The Heroine Project Presents use storytelling and song to tell the astonishing true story of a forgotten First World War heroine.
June 1915: Dorothy Lawrence set sail for northern France, intent on becoming the first female war correspondent. Disguised as ‘Private Denis Smith’ she made her way to the frontline of fighting – and came face-to-face with the dark heart of war-torn Europe. Over the Top explores how one woman came to terms with an experience that her culture had not prepared her for – and the impact that this had on her career, her creativity, and her mental health.
Using a mixture of storytelling and song, and drawing on the music hall tradition, Over the Top takes the audience on a whirlwind hour-long journey through Dorothy’s life, to a soundtrack influenced by the shifting musical landscape of the early 20th century.
The Heroine Project Presents have been set up to tell the stories of women from history who have been overlooked or misrepresented: Over the Top has been developed with the help of The Pound Arts Centre in Corsham and Bath’s Natural Theatre Company.
The performance is part of a new initiative to programme regular professional performance in the Events Space at Hamilton House, in collaboration with CoResist and Coexist. Says Deborah Ward, CoResist Collective core member, independent producer and performer: “We are delighted to co-produce a piece of theatre that is bold and sensitive – and that, through delving into the specific story of one woman in the dusty books of history, is highly relevant to the tribulations of today’s women.”
Audience feedback: “A wonderful script, exhilaratingly acted” “Performed with enormous courage and determination” “Genuine radiance and passion” “Moving, inspiring, raw and unexpected”.
An exhibition about Dorothy’s life will be on display in the performance space. After the show, the audience is invited to participate in a half-hour discussion, with the creative team sharing some of the evidence that informed the production.
Over the Top will be performed at Hamilton House, Bristol on Thursday, July 7. For more info and to book tickets, visit http://overthetop.bpt.me
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