We are bringing Kitty's story to life on stage. It will be performed at Beaumont House in Beaumont-cum-Moze, on the Walton Backwaters, where she was born, and at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester. We will be working with professional and community actors. If you are interesting in becoming involved you can contact us here.
With a small team we are adapting the novel for stage. Pop over to the production page to meet the team and read more about it. Or if you are interested in the struggles and triumphs of the process, head over to my blog.
May all your endeavors go well.
KITTYONSTAGE
The Production
THE DEVELOPMENT
The team gathered to develop the adaptation. If you are interested in the process have a look at my blog.
THE WORKSHOP
We held an R&D workshop to further develop the physical theatre elements of the production. Professional and local actors worked together to put flesh on the bones. Working with these wonderful creatives was truly inspiring.
We will be holding more workshops and auditions soon, you can register your interest here.
We would like to Lifehouse, Thorpe le soken, for providing workshop space in the heart of the village that Kitty lived.
THE INSPIRATION
We took a trip to the backwaters where Kitty lived 300 years before us. There we gathered inspiration.
Coming Soon
THE WORKSHOP
Kitty on Stage
coming soon.
September, 2024
Kitty Canham will be produced in Beaumont-cum-Moze, where Kitty was born and at the Headgate in Colchester. Both professional and community actors will be involved. If you are interested in taking part, watch this space or drop us a line here
The Production
Brass Button Productions
In the spring of 2023, a small band of friends got together to talk about thier first love, theatre. How small ideas grow when you have an enthusiastic and comitted team! And so Brass Button was born. Soon we began on the adaptation of my debut novel, Kitty Canham, based on real events that took place in Thorpe-le-Soken in the 1750's. More about her story here.
We believe in the life affirming experience of being involved in theatre and are comitted to bringing together both professionals and community to develop exciting theatrical experiences.
The R&D Workshop
Kitty's story moves between time and place and so physical theatre will be an important part of our story telling. It was great to have community and professional actors working together to create some fabulous work.
There will be further workshops and auditions coming soon, if you'd like to be kept informed, you can register your interest here.
We'd like to thank Lifehouse for thier sponsorship ofour workshop space.
'I thought it was a lovely idea to give local people the opportunity to work with other creatives in the area.' Molly Ridgeon (Actress)
'I love how authentic Kitty's story is to our community, as it is based in Essex in Beaumont, knowing this makes it more hard hitting and personal' Shania-Grace Thompson (Actress)
MEET THE TEAM
Nicky Matthews is a local creative. She began as an actress and for a number of years co-produced and directed at Frinton Summer Theatre. She went on to produce Community theatre in Colchester, Wivenhoe and Frinton. She is also a sometimes Artist and poet. However, her latest creative pursuit was to write the novel, Kitty Canham. When asked by Jackie and Jane to adapt the book into a play, she jumped at the chance to return to theatre. She is so enjoying working with a wonderful team of friends and the inevitable fun and laughter that happens when making theatre.
Jane Clifton is an Essex based actor who returned to the business a few years ago after taking a break to raise her family. Since returning to acting Jane has become interested in writing and directing and would like to develop her skills in these areas further. Jane feels strongly about making theatre that is accessible to everyone and creating opportunity for people to get involved. Jane is excited to be working with a team of such talented women to bring the story of Kitty Canham to the stage.
Emily Woods has always had a passion for theatre; performing and working behind the scenes of Frinton Summer Theatre throughout her youth. Her adult life took her in a different direction including living abroad and in recent years home educating her 3 children. She has always found opportunities to use her creativity and loved supported Nicky in creating community theatre. Emily is ready and excited to return to her love for performing arts.
Jackie Morton-Hart is a local painter and teacher who has participated in Performing Arts for over forty years, both in schools and community projects. She is particularly interested in working on staging and has worked on a variety of productions. (A favourite was an enormous papier-mâché Trojan Horse capable of containing five cast members!)
She loves the magic that comes from creating believable spaces and aiding the suspension of disbelief in a performance. The chance to work on a brand new play during a time of bereavement has been a life saver for her. As she says, “What can be better, and bring more solace than sharing an intensely creative project with wonderful friends?”