Kentish maids all in a row
She Writes is 17Percent’s Whitstable-based, popular showcase of new playwriting by women. For Lounge on the Farm we are happy to present a selection of new short plays by Kentish women writers, entitled ‘Maid in Kent’.
The show at Lounge on the Farm will feature five of our most popular short plays, all written by Kentish authors. The plays chosen have aliens, a sea monster, a psycho-killer, a date that goes horribly wrong and a pair of women whose interest in celebrity cookware goes too far.
She Writes is a showcase organised by 17Percent, an organisation run by Kent-based playwright Sam Hall, which supports and promotes female writers. Currently only 17% of the plays which get onto UK stages are written by women. She Writes brings women’s playwriting to a bigger audience and shows that women’s writing is as diverse, funny, touching, unexpected, and lyrical, as are women themselves.
Of the show, Sam said, “We chose these five plays as they are all a lot of fun and showcase a range of styles and topics. One of the things that women’s writing is often accused of is being ‘domestic’; I hope these five varied pieces will show that’s really not the case.
“They have also all been written by Kent-based playwrights. For Lounge on the Farm, we wanted this local connection, as the first woman to earn a living from writing, the playwright Aphra Behn, was born in Kent, and she paved the way for us all, as women writers.
“The cast and team (who are also all Kent-based), are really excited to be part of the festival and looking forward to it.”
‘Maid in Kent’ will be performed in the Playhouse Theatre, Lounge on the Farm, Merton Farm, Canterbury / 6 July 2012, 1pm / Ticket info: www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk
Meet the writers:
SUE BLAKESLEY – Just Desserts
Sue recently gained a First Class Honours Degree in Performing Arts at Canterbury Christchurch University. She is a writer, T’ai Chi teacher and co-founder of the Folkestone-based company, JimJam Arts.
SARAH DAVIES – Bitter Chocolate
Sarah is a drama lecturer, director and playwright. Recent productions include Bingo-ing Crazy and Humpty Smith and published works include articles and short stories. Sarah is New Writing South’s Squad Associate (Kent) and a reviewer for Total Theatre Magazine. Sarah is the dirctor of She Writes showcases.
MAGGIE DRURY – Enjoy
Maggie is an unrelenting writer. Her play Not Knowing Who We Are was performed at the Blue Elephant Theatre, Camberwell in 2007. She is currently working on a novel and a full-length play.
SAM HALL – See Monsters
Sam is the founder of 17Percent. She produces She Writes. She is a playwright whose work has been performed in London and Kent. She is also a freelance writer and reviewer for Remotegoat, a literary events organiser and dramaturg.
SM JENKIN – At the beginning
SM Jenkin was born and raised in Medway. She likes science fiction, steam trains and travel. She has been writing since 2004 when she did an evening course at the adult education centre. She finds most of her inspiration in public houses or in nature.
17percent 