OUR CONSTANCE SMEDLEY ON STAGE

I particularly wanted to show off this play by Frank Hatt, who wrote his script about Constance Armfield (nee Smedley), one of our memorable women writers. She was quite a girl and an early member of the Society of Woman Writers & Journalists which started in 1894. In Spring 1903, full of enthusiasm and inspiration, she helped start up the International Lyceum Club wich today straddles the world, with chapters in every major city. Read more about it in my latest book THE WOMAN WRITER published by the History Press (see pages 49/50). Below is detail of the play, which is being performed in other theatres around Gloucestershire and later on tour in Kent.

The Amazing and Preposterous
Constance Smedley
by Frank Hatt

The play is based on events in the life of Constance Smedley, novelist, journalist, illustrator, playwright, theatre-worker and founder of the International Lyceum Club for Women Writers and Artists and the Cotswold Players. It spans the period 1903-1915
Venue
11th – 13th March 2010
Everyman Theatre Studio

Cast

Constance Smedley - Sophie Laughton

Di Smedley - Sally-Anne Beighton

Billy Smedley - David Seymour

William Smedley - Dan Maxwell

Annie Smedley - Fiona Ross

Maxwell Armfield - David Seymour

Frank Gwynne-Evans - Dan Maxwell
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Director - Chris Garner

Designer - Sue Condie

Sound Design - Simon McCorry

Lighting Design - Corin Hayes