If you really want to immerse yourself in breaking theatrical barriers, you will need to see Manchester's Peripeteia Theatre Company's latest three times!
The work is a new version of Jean Cocteau's play The Human Voice, adapted by Peripeteia's artistic director Adam Cachia. It's at The King's Arms in Salford (December 11-13) and, as a different actor will perform it each night, different interpretations are guaranteed.
The original text is 94 years old, a monologue in which a young woman is on the phone with her lover. He is to marry another woman the next day, which causes her crippling depression. Meatly stuff for any actress and Cocteau acknowledged in his introduction that the play was motivated in part by complaints that his works were too writer/director-dominated and gave performers little opportunity to show off their range of talents. Over nine decades later, Peripeteia (Greek: "sudden reversal" or "change in circumstances") offers its performers - Jess Gough, Tsen Day-Beaver and Maddy Myles - a chance to show what they can do.
Jess is an actor and director from Bristol, now based in Manchester. She graduated from Manchester School of Theatre where she represented the school as a finalist for The Spotlight Prize. Her credits include One Of The Boys, at the Playground Theatre and End Of The World at ZOO Venues. Jess has worked with Manchester companies Red Brick Theatre, Take Back Theatre and HER Productions.
Scot Tsen Day-Beaver graduated from Manchester School of Theatre and her recent credits include being assistant director on Caryl Churchill's A Number with Red Brick Theatre; appearing in a stage adaptation of Mr Wroe's Virgins.
Maddy Myles has worked as an actress for 25 years, with extensive credits across all mediums. Theatre work includes Vincent River at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and Peer Gynt with The Ibsen Stage Company. She's is also in demand as a TV, film and corporate voiceover artist.
More info and tickets here