Urania, in association with The Bread & Roses Theatre, presentsConstance & Eva
by Kimberly Campanello, directed by Luke Davies
17th to 27th September at 7.30pm
Except: 2.30pm only on 24th; no performance on 23rd
at The Bread & Roses Theatre in Clapham
Press Night: Tuesday 19th September at 7.30pm
A new play by Kimberly Campanello about two sisters who abandoned their privileged upbringing in Ireland to become political radicals. Constance Markievicz and Eva Gore-Booth battled imperialism, fought for women’s rights, and sought to redefine gender and sexuality. They were famous – even infamous – during their lifetimes, but history has largely forgotten them.
How can their stories be told, and what can we learn from them about how to be politically active today?
Constance and Eva is a multimedia reimagining of the lives of these two sisters, bringing together archive footage, found text and performance to tell their story. It is a first time collaboration between the poet Kimberly Campanello (Strange Country, Hymn to Kali) and director Luke Davies (Chemsex Monologues, HIV Monologues), and is Urania’s first production.
‘When I first learned of these sisters I was immediately struck by their relentless commitment to political action and their love of art and language. Researching them in the archives with actor Charlotte Gallagher felt like an intimate conversation with contemporaries – wicked smart and full on.’ – Kimberly Campanello (Writer)
‘Kimberly Campanello’s debut play is a vital piece of work, not just because it reminds us about the achievements of two brilliant women – but also because it asks searching questions about how we relate to our own environment, and our comparative struggles.’ – Luke Davies (Director)
Praise for director Davies’ most recent production, The Chemsex Monologues (King’s Head Theatre and Adelaide Fringe, 2017): ‘Luke Davies ensures the emotional intensity hits with pinpoint accuracy’ – Ian Foster. ★★★★★ – Plays to See, What’s on in Adelaide, Gay Times,London Theatre 1, Act Drop, Tezza’s Theatre Place. ★★★★ – West End Wilma, British Theatre, Islington Gazette, London Pub Theatres.
Christodoulos Makris on Campanello: “Razor-sharp, exhilarating, and revelling in the power of words.”
The Bread & Roses Theatre is a 40- to 60-seat award-winning and innovative pub theatre. Equality, diversity and artistic quality are at the forefront of the theatre’s programming, which features in-house productions as well as visiting companies and collaborations. The theatre was launched in November 2014 and has since gone on to produce 5 star reviewed productions of ‘Miss Julie’ (2015), ‘Low Level Panic’ (2016) and dirty butterfly (2017).
Listing Details
Constance & Eva, by Kimberly Campanello, directed by Luke Davies
17th to 27th September at 7.30pm (except: 2.30pm only on 23rd; no performance on 24th)
Press Night:
The Bread and Roses Theatre, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6DZ Clapham, London
Tickets £12 I Concessions £10
Running Time: 60-70 minutes
Cast: Eva: Hannah Berry; Constance: Charlotte Gallagher
Creative team: Written by Kimberly Campanello; Directed by Luke Davies; Sound design by JP Thwaites; Film by Sandeep Gill; Set design by Luke Davies