SHOWWOMEN is a spectacular new stage show from Olivier award-winning performance maker Marisa Carnesky (creator of Carnesky’s Ghost Train, the live ride that enjoyed a five-year run on the Blackpool Promenade), SHOWWOMEN is a feminist rewrite: The untold herstory of British working-class entertainment from immigrant, queer and occult perspectives.
Devised in collaboration with hair hanger/comedienne Fancy Chance, sword and spoken word artist Livia Kojo Alour and physical and fire performer Lucifire, SHOWWOMEN interweaves live action, in-depth interviews and archival footage to create a dreamlike landscape mixing death defying stunts, strange and emotive acts, political resistance and secret backstage rituals. SHOWWOMEN asks why and how women perform dangerous and taboo acts and explores the legacy of forgotten and marginalised diverse British entertainers.
Based on Carnesky’s research as a fellow at The National Fairground and Circus Archive in the University of Sheffield, Marisa discovered the extraordinary stories of 1930’s pioneer clown Lulu Adams, 1940’s body magic star Koringa, 1950s sharpshooter Florence Shufflebottom and 1880’s teeth hanging aerialist superstar Miss La La in an exploration of lesser-known stories of extraordinary women in variety performance from a century ago and beyond. SHOWWOMEN compares them to the lived experiences of exceptional performers today.
SHOWWOMEN continues to tour, having headlined the performance tent at Latitude 2023. Expect witchy collective going-ons in full leopard print, crocodile women scaling walls, ladders of swords, live hair hanging, never ending pom poms and ectoplasmic clowns, SHOWWOMEN channels entertainment heritage to create visons of new matriarchal performance futures.
DATES 2024
3RD FEBRUARY DRAMA STUDIO, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD 8pm – SHEARWOOD ROAD, S10, 2TD
14TH MARCH
THE DUKES, LANCASTER LA1 1QE 7.30pm
www.dukeslancaster.org
16TH MARCH 2024
THE LOWRY, SALFORD M50 3AZ 7.30pm
www.thelowry.com
31st MAY and 1st JUNE
OUT THERE FESTIVAL, GREAT YARMOUTH
