Theatre by the Lake is thrilled to welcome back Elizabeth Mansfield, one of British theatre’s best solo performers, in an exclusive revival of hit West End show, Marie – The Story of Marie Lloyd for one night only on Sun 21 October in the Main House. The one-woman performance by Mansfield, who recently starred as Edith Piaf in sell-out Studio Spring show Hymn to Love, is a special fundraising performance with all proceeds supporting the theatre’s work with young people.
First produced by Elizabeth Mansfield and writer, Steve Trafford in 1987, Marie – The Story of Marie Lloyd has since toured venues all over the UK, Europe and the USA as well as been adapted for a BBC Radio series. Now lucky Keswick audiences will be able to enjoy this moving tribute to ‘The greatest music hall artist of all time’ (according to poet, T.S. Elliot) in this popular and celebrated show which won Mansfield an Olivier Award nomination for her 1996 performance at The Fortune Theatre, in London’s West End.
Lloyd is known as the first, great, female ‘stand-up’ comedian and the darling of the Victorian Music Halls and Marie features all her best-loved and famous songs including, Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way, Oh! Mr Porter, A Little of What you Fancy does you Good and The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery. Accompanied by pianist and musical director Stephen Rose, Mansfield will beautifully capture all the riotous fun of Lloyd’s irrepressible talent, as well as the hidden struggles of a truly remarkable woman.
She says, “I can’t wait to be back and performing Marie, especially at Theatre by the Lake. It’s a rare privilege for an actor to have the chance to return to such a fantastic role and to get bring such a feisty, fun-loving woman to life. As well as her charisma, she was a great actress and working class heroine and her songs offer an illuminating window on the culture of her class and her times. I feel sure that Marie would have been pleased this show is raising much needed funds for the theatre’s work in the local community”.
Rebecca Muir, newly appointed Head of Development at Theatre by the Lake said, “We’re absolutely delighted that Elizabeth is returning to Theatre by the Lake and for her support of our work with young people. We passionately believe that drama and music should be an essential part of any young person’s education; experiencing empathy, teamwork, confidence, expression, humanity, these are all vital ingredients in the making of a person.”
Marie – the Story of Marie Lloyd first opened at the City Varieties in Leeds in 1987, and in 1988 it was produced at the Drill Hall Theatre. It then played at the Hackney Empire, Stratford Town Hall and Hoxton Hall, all in the East End of London where Marie was born and raised. In 1991 it was co-produced with Paul Gane and Rolf Kruger at the Fortune Theatre and revived in 2000, touring the UK and as part of the Theatre Royal Stratford East season. Most recently, Ensemble and York Theatre Royal revived the original West End production in 2008.
Tickets for the performance are £18 – £10; Students, U16s £10. For more information see www.theatrebythelake.com or call the Box Office on 017687 74411. The evening promises to be full of uproarious laughter marvellously interwoven with song, but please book early to avoid disappointment. If you’d like to support the theatre directly, please visit www.theatrebythelake.com/donate.
