Performer Name: Alison Neil

Show Name: LARKS AND MAGIC (the story of E. Nesbit)

Show Description

website: www.alisonneil.co.uk Award-winning Alison Neil's entertaining one-woman plays about amazing women from history have been enchanting audiences for many years. LARKS AND MAGIC tells the story of E Nesbit, author of 'The Railway Children' and much more. Staid Victorian children's writer? Hardly. Quixotic, charming and maddening, Edith Nesbit's private life was jaw-dropping, even my modern standards. She knew everyone: G B Shaw, H G Wells, E M Forster, Noel Coward... She was a founding member of the Fabian Society, and she wrote a staggering quantity of books, short stories and poetry. Alison Neil's play tells of her struggle to keep her strange family above water, without losing her zest for life or her sense of humour (much), and provides a dazzling glimpe into a tempestuous, joyful, brilliant and extraordinary life. This one-hour show can be followed by a break and then a relaxed Q&A with Alison. Alternatively the show works well if followed by a tea or a supper. Promoters' and audience comments: 'a wonderful piece of theatre, a real treat that clearly delighted the audience' 'an inspirational performance' 'I was transported to another age and another time as you brought E Nesbit alive for me' 'Wow - what a wonderful performance. A lovely evening's entertainment'

Alison can bring PAT tested lighting and sound equipment with three lighting stands, or use the hall's theatrical lighting if a dimmable general cover for the scenery is possible.
Performance space: minimum of 4m across and 3m front to back. Staging is preferable but the show can be performed on the floor. Black out or partial black out is preferable but not essential. Three working plug sockets. Free parking for one small van. If access to the doors of the hall is difficult, please let Alison know so she can allow more time. Private room to use as a dressing room with a light and preferably a mirror - a walk-in cupboard will do. 'A' frame (free-standing) ladder with minimum height 6ft to top step if possible. GET IN: 4 hours e.g. 3.30pm for a 7.30 show GET OUT: one and a half hours after the audience leaves
20 x A4 posters for overprinting 250 x A5 flyers for overprinting photos press release page of quotes text and images are also available to download from the website: www.alisonneil.co.uk or Alison will email these to you.
Five highly acclaimed one-woman theatre shows. Each play is based on a real historical woman, and tells the story of her life and times in an entertaining, amusing and historically accurate way. Alison Neil has been touring to small venues for over 30 years. Her shows have scenery, theatrical lighting, sound effects and sumptuous costumes. Full details can be found at: www.alisonneil.co.uk The Shows: LARKS AND MAGIC (Story of E. Nesbit) GLOWING BRIGHT (Story of Marie Curie) MRS BEETON, MY SISTER MRS BAKER'S COMPANY, or, Rogues and Vagabonds THE FOSSIL LADY OF LYME (Story of Mary Anning)