Local author Rose Collis will be appearing in a new play she has written, Wanting the moon at the Marlborough Theatre in January in a production directed by Keith Drinkel.
‘If I really had a free hand I’d wish to broadcast on my hundredth birthday, fly round the world…Oh, I forgot — I have often wanted the moon…’
The eminent author, artist, playwright, journalist and Oscar-winning screenwriter, Clemence Dane − is asked by her great friend Noel Coward to revive her acting career and play the famous role he once created for her: eccentric medium Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit.
As she prepares to give him her answer, she reflects on their long personal and professional relationship − as well as memorable episodes from her chequered career, including penning the controversial early 20th century lesbian novel Regiment of Women, her experiences in both World Wars, and her adventures in Hollywood with Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Walt Disney, James Whale, Vita Sackville-West… and The Marx Brothers.
However, her favourite role was being the devoted and doting ‘den mother’ of the ‘Tavistock Set’ − the circle of friends and acquaintances who gathered in her ramshackle Covent Garden flat and her caravans in Sussex for 30 years, including Coward himself, Ivor Novello and Joyce Grenfell.
Rose Collis a writer, alternative historian and performer has lived and worked in Sussex since 1997. Her writing credits include Death and the City (Hanover Press 2013), The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton (2010), ‘This Effing Lady’: Coral Browne (Oberon Books 2007), Colonel Barker’s Monstrous Regiment: A Tale of Female Husbandry (Virago 2000 & 2001); and A Trouser-Wearing Character: The Life and Times of Nancy Spain (Cassell 1997 & 1999).
This new production has been made possible with financial support from Arts Council England, and with match-funding and funding-in-kind from Blueprint 22, Pink Fringe/Marlborough Theatre, Jill Gardiner, Krazy Kat Theatre and Raine Pavey-Dorn.
In 2012, Rose created the critically acclaimed Trouser-Wearing Characters, the first one-woman musical cabaret show written and performed by a female author, which continues to tour.
In November 2014, Arts Council England funded the successful Research & Development of ‘Not Wanted on Voyage’, a new play about Nancy Spain and Gilbert Harding. For more information, click here:
Event: Wanting the moon a new play by Rose Collis
Where: Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD.
When: January 8 and 9
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £7
To book tickets online, click here:
You can also see Wanting the moon at Arundel Jailhouse, Duke’s Path, off High St, Arundel on Tuesday, January 12, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £7.
To book for Arundel performance online, click here:
For more information about Rose Collis, click here: