The School of Creative Arts at West Dean College is proud to
present an evening of theatre and literary history. Edith,
Elizabeth and I. This is a fast-paced one woman show created by
Jules Craig, writer and performer, and inspired by the life and
works of the British poet Edith Sitwell.
The performance will be at the college for one night only on
Wednesday 2 November. As a special bonus the evening offers a
unique opportunity to see the performance in a historic house
visited by the renowned poet. The audience will also be able to
view items from the college's collection and archive which includes
original correspondence between founder, Edward James and Dame
Sitwell.
Sitwell, who resembled Queen Elizabeth I with whom she shared a
birthday, explored the duality of poetry and music in
conceptual-like performances. She was well-known for her
distinctive style of dress, wearing exotic costumes, brocade and
velvet gowns, adorned with gold turbans and huge colourful rings.
Sitwell, considered an innovator in a conservative period due to
her dramatic work and unusual appearance claimed that; 'good taste
is the worst vice ever invented.'
The performance is a comic fast moving one-woman show with a
cast of three, all vying for the role of leading lady. Inspired by
Sitwell's life, and her biographies of Elizabeth 1, it is the story
of Juliet, who attempts to put on a play about her heroines, but
discovers that telling the tales of others has its pitfalls,
particularly when the subjects themselves turn up, and force her to
face some home truths. The play explores the nature of biography,
and focuses on the themes of role models, identity and the position
of the older, unmarried woman in society.
Jules Craig will be hosting a post-performance Question and
Answer session. To book tickets visit www.westdean.org.uk/events.