Launching with an immersive, promenade extravaganza from rising stars Bric à Brac the Space’s autumn/winter season is an unapologetic, captivating mix of dark comedies, time travelling plays and re-imaginings of classics, packed with emerging talent. With 70% of shows written and directed by women this season has female led new work, and the theme of sisterhood, at its heart. Women are firmly centre stage at the Space.
The highlight of the season is a modern adaptation of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (27 Nov – 22 Dec). Celebrating 150 years since the novel’s publication this in house production pairs playwright Rachael Claye (The Lighthouse, 2016) with Director Sepy Baghaei (CITIZEN, 2018) for an extended four week run. An opportunity to bring the March sisters, and this much loved bittersweet tale of family, loss and love, into the 21st Century. A beautiful Christmas show, a celebration of sisterhood and a rallying cry to defy convention and step into the unknown.
The season opener sees the return of Bric à Brac with Just Lose It! (4 – 8 Sept) an immersive promenade experience that tackles the world of weight loss and studies our obsession with the way we look. Welcome to the Bin the Belly Weight Loss Corporation’s end of year extravaganza. Expect awards, motivational speeches and fun fitness where you can win big by losing large.
Emerging theatre companies Matipo Productions and Hooked Theatre take two very different approaches to exploring modern life for young adults with Fleeced (11 – 14 Sept), a dark comedy exploring identities and how we construct them as part of a flock. Little Fools (25 – 29 Sept) blends true events with spoken word in a tale of two sisters whose lives are tainted by someone they trusted. A fierce and fearless tale of power, exploitation, family and love.
Tara Rankine and Anna Nicholson deliver two female solo shows. Love Is A Work In Progress (2 – 6 Oct) is a ridiculous and poignant ride through past love, sex, friendship and heartbreak. Then in Woman Of The Year (3 – 6 Oct) it-girl vlogger, bra saleswoman, overly competitive vicar and straight talking Grandma are the four nominees. Anna’s fast paced debut comedy show sold out her Edinburgh Fringe 2018 run and was developed with BBC sitcom writer James Cary (Miranda, Bluestone 42) with support from Soho Theatre.
Next, Little Pieces Of Gold (10 – 11 Oct) present staged reading sessions showcasing the shortlisted plays from their September open call-out from which almost 600 plays were submitted. The place to hear work from writers to watch.
Scary Little Girls present The Full Bronte (30 Oct – 3 Nov). This homage to English literature’s most famous sorority has received glowing reviews across the country. Featuring music and comedy, this is a raucous celebration of Britain’s favourite family of novelists and poets.
The Autumn/Winter season closes by stepping back in time to 1952 with STARCHED Theatre’s Laundry (8 – 12 Jan). Set amongst the communal washing lines, five women, in the soot of the Docklands, desperately try to wash their secrets out of stained laundry. Inspired by the stories of London women during the 1940s and 50s, Laundry is a moving story of shame, secrecy and community.
Find out more about the season, and ticket offers here.
