| programme_notes_for_backstage_in_biscuitland.doc |
BACKSTAGE IN BISCUITLAND
Lyric Theatre Friday 4th September 7.30 pm
Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick Saturday 5th September 8pm
THESE NOTES WILL BE READ TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOW BY SARA DUNCAN.
JESS THOM has Tourettes, a condition that makes her say “biscuit” hundreds of times a day. Unusual neurology gives her a unique perspective on life.
This two woman show weaves comedy, puppetry, singing, and incredible tics to explore spontaneity, creativity, disability and things you never knew would make you laugh.
THE ACTORS
JESS THOM is young, with a broad dimpled face, high cheekbones, a wide mouth and thick dark curly hair. She wears a white Tshirt, with the logo, “Let’s get ready to stumble”, dark grey trousers, black trainers, and padded pink fingerless gloves. She arrives on stage on her hands and knees, and then sits in her pink spoked wheelchair, constantly involuntarily moving and beating her chest with her right hand, while using her hands to emphasise what she is saying.
JESS MABEL JONES, the second actress, is also young, with a tanned oval face, with short black fringed hair, dark eyes and wide smile. She is called CHOPIN by Jess Thom. Her T shirt is black as are her trousers and trainers.
The signer stands to the left of the two actresses.
THE SET
A six foot tall cardboard cut out tree with green leaves stands to the right of the stage, with a net of brown leaves behind.
Numerous other props are on the floor, including a felt owl, four wooden mallard ducks , four large toilet rolls, a pink patterned babygro, a dinosaur balloon, large cards face down, a big photo of Mother Theresa.
The high wooden stool on which Chopin sits is at right front.
At the far left of the stage is a coat rack, from which hangs a blue and white rubber suit. Next to this is a white u- bend for a toilet, a teddy bear, a plastic pedal bin with eyes and mouth transfers, a small circular saw, a black anvil on which is painted the word “dinner” A small square table with a grey table cloth, and a checked rug can also be glimpsed.
The show was written and devised by Jess Thom, Jess Mabel Jones and Matthew Poutney, and produced by Jolie Booth and Matthew Pountney.
Lyric Theatre Friday 4th September 7.30 pm
Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick Saturday 5th September 8pm
THESE NOTES WILL BE READ TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOW BY SARA DUNCAN.
JESS THOM has Tourettes, a condition that makes her say “biscuit” hundreds of times a day. Unusual neurology gives her a unique perspective on life.
This two woman show weaves comedy, puppetry, singing, and incredible tics to explore spontaneity, creativity, disability and things you never knew would make you laugh.
THE ACTORS
JESS THOM is young, with a broad dimpled face, high cheekbones, a wide mouth and thick dark curly hair. She wears a white Tshirt, with the logo, “Let’s get ready to stumble”, dark grey trousers, black trainers, and padded pink fingerless gloves. She arrives on stage on her hands and knees, and then sits in her pink spoked wheelchair, constantly involuntarily moving and beating her chest with her right hand, while using her hands to emphasise what she is saying.
JESS MABEL JONES, the second actress, is also young, with a tanned oval face, with short black fringed hair, dark eyes and wide smile. She is called CHOPIN by Jess Thom. Her T shirt is black as are her trousers and trainers.
The signer stands to the left of the two actresses.
THE SET
A six foot tall cardboard cut out tree with green leaves stands to the right of the stage, with a net of brown leaves behind.
Numerous other props are on the floor, including a felt owl, four wooden mallard ducks , four large toilet rolls, a pink patterned babygro, a dinosaur balloon, large cards face down, a big photo of Mother Theresa.
The high wooden stool on which Chopin sits is at right front.
At the far left of the stage is a coat rack, from which hangs a blue and white rubber suit. Next to this is a white u- bend for a toilet, a teddy bear, a plastic pedal bin with eyes and mouth transfers, a small circular saw, a black anvil on which is painted the word “dinner” A small square table with a grey table cloth, and a checked rug can also be glimpsed.
The show was written and devised by Jess Thom, Jess Mabel Jones and Matthew Poutney, and produced by Jolie Booth and Matthew Pountney.
