Bendrix Theatre Presents BLUE FENCE 2/22-3/12

Bendrix Theatre in association with the Pleasance Theatre, Islington present a new play Blue Fence by Heather O'Shea.

As Claire begins work on the most exciting commission of her career - a public sculpture for the 2012 Olympics - she has a life-changing stroke. As doubts are raised over Claire's physical ability to create the work, her commission is changed and she is asked to create a sculpture for the Paralympics. Claire is now considered a "disabled artist" and whilst struggling to accept the way she has been labeled, she questions whether she is really the best person to represent Paralympiads. Blue Fence takes a funny and provocative look at personal identity, the art world and the Olympics.

Bendrix Theatre Company is an emerging theatre company which aims to push boundaries and create engaging and challenging theatre by highlighting unique stories that would otherwise go unheard. The company was started by director Francesca Seeley, who suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and so commissioned a play exploring the perception of disability in society. Following two years of research and development Blue Fence is the first full scale production from Bendrix Theatre Company. Sadly Blue Fence is even more relevant than when it was first conceived as while our society is overtly concerned with being politically correct, people with disabilities are being pushed to the margins, as government cuts attack their daily quality of life.

The play has a cast of three with Flora Nicholson (Othello RSC, Bronte Shared Experience) playing Claire, Thomas Hunt playing the male roles and Antonia Kinlay playing the female roles other than Claire. Blue Fence will be directed by Francesca Seeley, designed by Giulia Scrimieri, with lighting by William Reynolds, sound by Jon McLeod and produced by Mark Bixter.

Francesca Seeley trained with Living Pictures and through the Young Vic Genesis Directors, with Katie Mitchell, Ian Rickson, Dominic Cooke, Indhu Rubasingham, Paul Hunter, Elen Bowman and Joe Hill-Gibbins. Directing credits include: Bee Stings by Ben Blaine as part of Cut Off (Theatre 503), Square(d) by David Furlong (New Wimbledon Studio), Endorsement by Griff Phillips (King's Head Theatre), Comp by John Shea (Tristan Bates Theatre) and Now I Wonder What You Are by Sean Tyler (Greenwich Playhouse). Assistant credits: The Contingency Plan by Steve Waters (Bush Theatre), The Long Road by Shelagh Stephenson (Soho Theatre) and Tagged to a Number by Simon Bennett for Synergy Theatre Project (schools tour and BAC). Francesca has directed many readings for One Night Stands - a monthly series of rehearsed readings of new writing.

Heather O'Shea has an MA from Goldsmiths in Writing for Performance. Her work includes Cut Off at Theatre 503 and Tristan Bates Theatre, Presently at Baron's Court Theatre, Elasticity at the Arts Depot and Two Woman Tent on Brighton Seafront.
Pleasance Theatre, Islington
22nd February -12th March
Tickets and Information: www.pleasance.co.uk 020 7609 1800
Times: Monday - Saturday at 7.45pm Tickets: £10 Full Price £8 Concessions

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