Catherine Smyth's Blog
September 26, 2012
Review of Black Roses stage production
As Black Roses is an elegy about the same incident I have reviewed the stage production in Manchester.
Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster
‘Now, make this known’
Those four words echoed around the auditorium as two actors silently left the stage. The packed audience at Manchester’s Royal Exchange was sitting attentively. They waited for a minute not sure whether to applaud or just to leave the theatre in the same eerie silence.
The Radio 4 play has been adapted for stage and presents a powerful real life drama. It gives a voice to the peace-loving unique individual that was Sophie. The 20-year-old gap year student whose life was cruelly stamped out in a gang attack in a Bacup park in 2007.
Sophie and her boyfriend Rob Maltby, who followed a Goth-style fashion, had been walking home when they chose to walk into the park. Firstly Rob was attacked by a gang of five. They kicked and stamped on his head and face.
Sophie was there next victim and such was the force of the kicks that reigned down on her imprints of the training shoes were left on her face. She died 13 days later. The only reason given for the attack was that they were dressed different to their attackers.
Set on a simple stage, the role of Sophie’s mum Sylvia is played by Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh. She sits in the centre in an armchair while around her on a raised grass platform and a park bench her daughter Sophie, played by Rachel Austin, struts and strides.
Through his sharp and clever poetry, Simon Armitage gives Sophie the chance tell her own story. Her Lancashire lilt fills the auditorium with tales of her childhood, but then a subtle sound akin to thunder warns the audience that this story is becoming darker.
Every word of the poetry was beautifully delivered as dressed in ripped tights, black lipstick and dark eye make-up, Rachel marches around her mother telling her story.
The poetry interweaves with the recollections of Sylvia leaving the audience in no doubt of the very real emotion of the situation.
Tears were shed, tissues were hastily removed from bags, men, women, young, old, all were visibly moved by the intimate production.
At times it felt as though mother and daughter were talking to one another and I, as an audience member, was an intruder. The tears shed by Julie on stage were genuine.
I hope every member of the audience will heed those final words uttered by Rachel and ‘make this known’. The work of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation can only be strengthened by this play being staged.
Sophie’s story is one that should not be forgotten and her legacy must be a more tolerant society where prejudice is banished.
If this play helps to get that message across I hope to see it staged countrywide, however to maintain its impact it must be kept to similar small venues.
Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster
‘Now, make this known’
Those four words echoed around the auditorium as two actors silently left the stage. The packed audience at Manchester’s Royal Exchange was sitting attentively. They waited for a minute not sure whether to applaud or just to leave the theatre in the same eerie silence.
The Radio 4 play has been adapted for stage and presents a powerful real life drama. It gives a voice to the peace-loving unique individual that was Sophie. The 20-year-old gap year student whose life was cruelly stamped out in a gang attack in a Bacup park in 2007.
Sophie and her boyfriend Rob Maltby, who followed a Goth-style fashion, had been walking home when they chose to walk into the park. Firstly Rob was attacked by a gang of five. They kicked and stamped on his head and face.
Sophie was there next victim and such was the force of the kicks that reigned down on her imprints of the training shoes were left on her face. She died 13 days later. The only reason given for the attack was that they were dressed different to their attackers.
Set on a simple stage, the role of Sophie’s mum Sylvia is played by Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh. She sits in the centre in an armchair while around her on a raised grass platform and a park bench her daughter Sophie, played by Rachel Austin, struts and strides.
Through his sharp and clever poetry, Simon Armitage gives Sophie the chance tell her own story. Her Lancashire lilt fills the auditorium with tales of her childhood, but then a subtle sound akin to thunder warns the audience that this story is becoming darker.
Every word of the poetry was beautifully delivered as dressed in ripped tights, black lipstick and dark eye make-up, Rachel marches around her mother telling her story.
The poetry interweaves with the recollections of Sylvia leaving the audience in no doubt of the very real emotion of the situation.
Tears were shed, tissues were hastily removed from bags, men, women, young, old, all were visibly moved by the intimate production.
At times it felt as though mother and daughter were talking to one another and I, as an audience member, was an intruder. The tears shed by Julie on stage were genuine.
I hope every member of the audience will heed those final words uttered by Rachel and ‘make this known’. The work of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation can only be strengthened by this play being staged.
Sophie’s story is one that should not be forgotten and her legacy must be a more tolerant society where prejudice is banished.
If this play helps to get that message across I hope to see it staged countrywide, however to maintain its impact it must be kept to similar small venues.
September 23, 2012
Reviews to date
This is a personal thank you to those who have reviewed my book. Thank you also to those who won the book in the giveaway and who have taken the trouble to review it.
I will be watching Black Roses at the Manchester theatre on Wednesday and will post my review on here and on my Facebook group Sophie Lancaster Book.
I will be watching Black Roses at the Manchester theatre on Wednesday and will post my review on here and on my Facebook group Sophie Lancaster Book.
August 28, 2012
Black Roses
Am going to see the stage production of Black Roses in Manchester on September 26th and am looking forward to it.
Sounds strange to say looking forward to it but I found the radio play poetry to be excellent and I am interested to see how the story is translated on to the stage.
Sounds strange to say looking forward to it but I found the radio play poetry to be excellent and I am interested to see how the story is translated on to the stage.
August 18, 2012
Anniversary
Next week will be the anniversary of Sophie's death. Please spare a thought on August 24th.
Black Roses is being shown at the Royal Exchange in Manchester http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event....
This will be a production well worth going to see; Simon Armitage's poetry is very moving I also hope to be able to sell copies of my book at the production.
Black Roses is being shown at the Royal Exchange in Manchester http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event....
This will be a production well worth going to see; Simon Armitage's poetry is very moving I also hope to be able to sell copies of my book at the production.
August 8, 2012
Reviews
First written review has been posted on Goodreads - thank you.
On Saturday it will be the fifth anniversary of the attack on Sophie and Rob, please spare a thought for them both and light a candle for Sophie.
Here's to a more tolerant society.
On Saturday it will be the fifth anniversary of the attack on Sophie and Rob, please spare a thought for them both and light a candle for Sophie.
Here's to a more tolerant society.
August 3, 2012
Book on Kobo
Weirdo Mosher Freak is now available on Kobo.
Follow the link
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Weirdo...
Follow the link
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Weirdo...
August 1, 2012
Giveaway
All 10 Giveaway books have been sent out today, I look forward to receiving your reviews.
If you want to buy a copy please do so from my web site as more money goes to the charity - the Sophie Lancaster Foundation - if you buy it directly from me.
www.catherinesmyth.co.uk
(scroll down the opening page to the PayPal link)
If anyone wants to discuss the book please ask your questions.
If you want to buy a copy please do so from my web site as more money goes to the charity - the Sophie Lancaster Foundation - if you buy it directly from me.
www.catherinesmyth.co.uk
(scroll down the opening page to the PayPal link)
If anyone wants to discuss the book please ask your questions.
