Today we are speaking with Susannah Bramwell, a current student on the MA, Creative Producing course about her freelance project called ‘Lavender’.
What have you been working on?
I have been working on a freelance project called Lavender. Lavender is a history lesson in the lives of two young queer women, and will be explored on stage with an interdisciplinary and non conventional approach.
Written by Torbay based writer Holly Fitzpatrick, the fast-paced story soars through memories of a South West childhood. With funding from the Arts Council, Lavender, seeks to protect local LGBTQ+ histories both personal and political, as well as celebrate LGBTQ+ creativity in the South West.
The creative team and cast identify as LGBTQIA+ and most grew up in the South West. As such we are touring the show from Devon to London.
The following performances are in celebration with LGBTQ+ History Month 2022:
- Exeter Phoenix: 23 February
- The Omnibus Theatre, London: 25 & 26 February
Sounds exciting! What is the play about?
Lavender is a crude and chaotic history lesson in the lives of two young queers. A butch Marxist trainwreck who works in the cereal aisle. A Christian with an engagement ring and the voice of an angel. Surrounding them is fifteen years of history. The rubble of polyester thongs, dolls and skipping ropes. Devon. Characters Lucy and Nancy are down-to-earth, despicable and completely familiar. Future uncertain, they must face up to where it all began: sharpening pencils and plucking the wings off of flies, aged seven.
Is there a specific ethos behind this production?
We believe that more early-career creatives should feel empowered to make bold work in the South West (SW). We are particularly interested in helping to raise underrepresented voices in this region.
Our aims as a project are to:
- Stage Queer Female stories: there is an absence of authentic LGBTQ+ female narratives in the regional creative landscape. We want to challenge this intersection of sexism and homophobia and provide a vibrant and empowering representation of queer women onstage.
- Connect queer creative people in the SW: our workshops and panel discussion will celebrate queer creative expression in Exeter and Plymouth, connecting young people with academics, artists, and LGBTQ+ community members to create networks that do not currently exist.
- Chart a pathway for SW queer artists to cultivate high-quality work and share it nationally: Lavender amplifies underrepresented voices in the South West, showing emerging artists that the area need not be hostile to their career ambitions.
- Showcase the potential of the SW: Performing Lavender at the Omnibus Theatre allows quality work from the South West to reach new audiences, critics and collaborators, and raise the profile of this region’s artistic work.
How did you get involved in this project?
I go involved in this project through a group of students that I had collaborated with during my undergraduate degree at University of Exeter.
What made you want to get involved?
I was really engaged by the script. Reading it I saw a lot of myself in these two young women in an intense female friendship, figuring themselves out. I thought it was a really important piece of work that needed to be staged.
What have you been getting up to?
I have been producing the project. This has included doing all kinds of things, from engaging with local organisations as part of our outreach effort, to organising a panel discussion, and also managing budgeting and admin!
How is this related to your coursework?
As a student studying producing I have been able to put into practice a lot of the things we have learnt on the course. Particularly helpful was being able to contract other freelancers for the first time and feel confident about it after a contracting session on the MA.
What has surprised you most about your experience?
I have been most surprised about the reaction we’ve got from older queer people feeling themselves represented in the work.
How did you find out about Central and decide to study with us?
I was looking into my next steps after leaving university and new I wanted to develop my producing practice. I found the course at Central thought it seemed like a really interesting course. The open day and hearing current students talk about their experiences sold it to me once and for all, and now I’m here!
What are you planning to do after graduation?
I am hoping to continue working as a freelance producer, and maybe see if I can get some part time work at a venue too!
Learn more about Lavender the production and the performances at Exeter Phoenix and The Omnibus Theatre, London.
