RADIO 4 regular and stand up poet Kate Fox and actress Joey Holden bring their show, Where There’s Muck, There’s Bras, to Teesdale this month.
At Barningham Village Hall on Saturday, February 23., they will perform a playful, provocative, hilarious and inspiring piece of stand-up.
It explores the way women are represented, or under-represented in ideas of northernness.
Mixing story-telling and poetry it uncovers the hidden history of the writers, scientists, politicians, protestors, musicians and other heroines who make up a far more diverse north than we usually see.
Something of the range of the show can be seen from the fact that it features, among others, seventh century Hilda of Whitby, founder of the monastery there; pioneering Lancastrian football winger, Lily Parr (1905-1978) who was described as six feet high and with a kick like a mule; and Mother Shipton of Knaresborough, famous 17th century prophet and soothsayer.
Originally commissioned and performed as part of the 2018 Great Exhibition of the North, the show debuted at the Live Theatre, Newcastle last June where it was a sell- out. It is currently touring the North and comes to Barningham through the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.
Kate Fox has made two comedy series for Radio 4, has been Poet in Residence for the Great North Run, Glastonbury Festival and Radio 4’s Saturday Live, and works extensively on writing and performing projects for schools, community groups and festivals.
She has performed her poetry on BBC1 and BBC2 as well as numerous radio shows and venues from The Edinburgh Fringe to The Southbank Centre.
She has been described by Sarah Millican as “funny, quirky and a wonderful writer” and has won the accolade “funny and clever with a cynicism that cuts through the whimsy” from the Daily Telegraph.
Robin Brooks, a member of Barningham Village Hall Committee, said: “This is a hilarious but thoughtful show that celebrates the real northern powerhouse – northern women.
“And the audience will have a chance to share their own stories. The show is coming to us under the banner of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme that brings professional music and theatre to village halls and community venues across the North Pennines and Cumbria.
“We’ve had a great range of shows over the years from Highlights – theatre, music, cabaret and poetry – and the small size of the village hall makes it a particularly good venue for shows like this where a lot depends on close rapport between the audience and performers.”
The show starts at 7.30 pm and tickets cost £9.50 for adults, £4 for children and £20 for families. Phone 01833 621203 or email [email protected] to reserve tickets or book online at www.highlightsnorth.co.uk. Show-goers are welcome to bring their own drinks.
