Local author Rose Collis to embark on first ever regional tour of Trouser-Wearing Characters, funded by Arts Council England.
The tour will take place in February 2016, during LGBT History Month, when the show will be performed at ten different regional libraries, starting at Ipswich Central Library on February 9, and ending at Newcastle City Library on March 2.
This critically-acclaimed original entertainment − a unique mixture of music, history and comedy − is the first-ever one-woman cabaret-style musical show created and performed by a British author.
It combines stories, vignettes and songs about eclectic ‘trouser-wearing characters’, from Nancy Spain to Colonel Barker, Dougie Byng to the ‘f**king lady’ herself, Coral Browne — with cameo ‘appearances’ by the likes of Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich and Vincent Price.
Since making its world premiere at the Brighton Fringe Festival 2012, the show has appeared at festivals and venues throughout the UK, but this is its first full-scale tour.
Early in 2013, it had a successful five-week tour of New Zealand and Australia, appearing at Auckland Fringe, NZWellington Fringe, Sydney Mardi Gras and Adelaide Fringe — the second biggest arts festival in the world.
The original production was directed by Matt Thompson, the 2016 version will be directed by Kinny Gardner B.C.A.a.
Rose said: “I am thrilled to be taking Trouser-Wearing Characters on its first full-scale regional UK tour and deeply grateful to Arts Council England for funding it. I chose to take the show to public libraries as I feel it would appeal to a more diverse audience who attend events there rather than theatres, and I thank all the library services who have greeted the show with enormous enthusiasm and support.”
Tickets for all shows will be £5.
To book in advance, click here:
All performances will be followed by informal Q&A sessions with Rose Collis and opportunities to buy her published books.
Dates on the tour:
Tuesday February 9 Ipswich Central Library
Saturday February 13 Plymouth Central Library
Monday February 15 Exeter Library
Wednesday February 17 Taunton Library
Friday February 19 Battle Library, Reading
Monday February 22 The Hive, Worcester Library
Wednesday February 24 Shrewsbury Library
Friday February 26 Carpenter Room, Sheffield City Library
Monday February 29 Todmorden Library
Wednesday March 2 Newcastle City Library
For more information about Rose, click here: