Hannah Lavery is the writer of new play Protest, which will play at Brixton House, following highly successful runs in both Newcastle and Edinburgh and a tour throughout Scotland.
Natalie Ibu directs Kirsty MacLaren (The Crown, The Boys in the Boat) will play the role of Alice, Harmony Rose-Bremner (Fifteen-Love, Hamnet) will play the role of Jade and Amy Murphy (Holby City, Blood Brothers) will play the role of Chloe.
The show will return to both Newcastle and Edinburgh as well as tour stops in London, Nottingham, Harrogate, Cambridge, Colchester, Coventry, Poole, Plymouth and Exeter. Tickets are on sale from https://fueltheatre.com/projects/protest/.
Protest is coming to Brixton House, what can you tell us about the show?
The play is about three young girls living in a small community. It follows their journey, as they are inspired by each other and also by two wonderful grandmothers to come together. to stand up for each other and for change in their town.
What inspired you to write it?
I was aware through my own children and in conversations with young people that there was a growing feeling of despair about the world they were living in and importantly for me a real feeling of a lack of agency to make change. It was a desire to write something hopeful for young people. It was also grounded in my own experiences and in talking to those who have spent a life time in activism. Hope and community is what sustains us.
How did you go about writing about the experiences of young people today?
I spent a long time listening to young people and to older activists. I read a lot about the change that small communities can and have made.
What did you find most difficult about writing the show?
I think in many ways once I found the voices of the three characters it took on its own momentum but it was difficult at times to hold to the hopeful message I wanted to share. It is too easy to fall into feelings of despair I think. The beauty of these three characters, their desire and passion, drove me on.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Protest?
I want the play to be a beginning of a conversation and I would hope that seeing the play would provide a moment for young people and their adults to have a conversation about what they can do together. When we find community and solidarity we are capable of making extraordinary positive change for ourselves and each other. This is the hope I want this play to share with its audience.
