About the performance

What if Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, washed up on a beach in the 21st Century? What would she do next? The performance combines poetry, music and film with myth, art and contemporary issues - from eating disorders, to shopping in Primark. With music composed and performed by Corey Mwamba on vibraphone, featuring Dave Kane on double bass; film visuals designed by Keith Allott and original artwork by Scott Bridgwood. 'The Venus Papers' is being produced by 'renaissance one': inspiring literature - writers, events and tours www.renaissanceone.co.uk

Key Personnel

Lydia Towsey - Lead Artist
Jean 'Binta' Breeze - Director
Corey Mwamba - Composer, Muscian
Keith Allott - Film Maker
Dave Kane - Muscian
Melanie Abrahams - Producer
Scott Bridgwood - Artist

Production Information

Running time at full length: 50 minutes

Suitable for age 14 +

Medium use of text

Use of live music

Requires a clear understanding of English

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate setting: Studio

Number of people on tour: 5- 6

Number of performers on stage: 3

Available to tour from March 2012

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

One of the core purposes of ‘The Venus Papers’ is to try and inspire a dialogue - primarily around the way women are viewed and represented in the 21st Century. For this reason the following workshops are available:

A Life Drawing/Poetry workshop, led by Lydia Towsey and Scott Bridgwood, supported by Corey Mwamba and Dave Kane.

An art focused writing workshop exploring some of the show's main themes and sharing the artist’s own writing process.

Company History

Lydia’ previous commissions include: writing and performing for ‘Freedom Showcase’, The Poet in the City ‘All Stars Tour’ and ‘Beyond Words’ - a UK tour of four South African poets, including Keorapetse Kgositsile, the South African Poet Laureate. She is currently working with ‘renaissance one’ to organise a tour of 'The Venus Papers'. She has a Masters in Creative Writing and is chair and compere of WORD!, the longest running poetry night in the Midlands.

Recent Productions / Tours

Following support from Arts Council England, ‘The Venus Papers’ has been performed in the following contexts: one thirty minute extract, The Y Theatre, Leicester; one five minute extract, The Lakeside Centre, Nottingham, as part of the Poet in the City ‘All Stars’ Tour; one fifteen minute performance for Apples and Snakes, Vibe Bar, London; one fifty minute performance, Derby LIVE!, Assembly Rooms, Derby.

Reviews

Eloquent, witty, rhythmically tight...these poems are wry yet also compassionate, curious...there's an impressive control here, with rarely a wasted word.' David Belbin, author on The Venus Papers, October 2010.

'She manages to locate the story in a contemporary setting and it speaks to a modern audience. I applaud the achievement.' Mahandra Solanki, poet on 'The Venus Papers' , October 2010.

“Lydia Towsey - the hardest working women in show business. God bless. ‘What if I could cast a spell’ - serious piece” ‘Sureshot’, poet and performer, December 2010.

‘The Venus Papers’ Audience Feedback

"Mesmerising - truly mesmerising. I couldn't break my concentration, not wanting to miss a word. Beautiful and moving whilst being thought provoking. A privilege to have experienced."

"Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It was beautiful, inspiring. Funny in places, devastatingly heart breaking in others. Truly something to be part of and I was honoured to watch it."

"Alluring, compelling and disturbing, impossible to ignore!'

"Brilliant, funny, feminist, poignant. A pleasure to watch.

“The shell is wicked!”