Thu 13 and Fri 14 Jan – 7.45pm
Fast Woman tells the extraordinary life story of Helle Nice - a fast woman in every sense: in life, in love and in motor-racing. Roaring through the 1920’s she danced her way to notoriety at the Casino de Paris, posed nude for Parisian photographers and risked her life many times in adventures as diverse as skiing, high wire acts, mountaineering and speed record attempts. Her skill and courage brought her success; her brazen media-savvy brought her enemies – one in particular. In him she met her match.
Sandra Hunt, like Helle Nice, began her career as a dancer performing in cabaret and nightclubs as well as theatres. Sandra says: "I have also modelled for my local art group but appeared nude only in the privacy of my own bathroom"!
Sandra also has a long and very fond association with Cheltenham having played Fairy Godmother in the Everyman Panto a number of times – "a great pleasure in such a beautiful traditional theatre". And it was in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' that she had her first experience of 'flying' which was the fulfillment of a lifetime's theatrical ambition! FineTime Fontayne, Sandra's partner and the director of 'Fast Woman', was Associate Director at the theatre.
Sandra says "The hills and surrounding countryside are also an attraction, of course, and particularly the Hill Climb at Prescott where the most stunning vintage cars may be seen taking to the tracks." Sandra has some photos taken in a lovely classic blue Bugatti, such as driven by Helle Nice; unfortunately not her own but loaned for the shoot by a kindly owner at Prescott. As she says:"We can all dream!"
Sandra Hunt’s television work includes roles in ‘Cold Feet’, ‘The Street’, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Emmerdale’, ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Where The Heart Is’ and ‘Doctors’. And highlights in a long theatrical career are her remarkable performance as Fanny Cradock in her solo show ‘Fanny Cradock - the Life and Loves of a Kitchen Devil’ written by Julia Darling, Mary Granard in the hilarious ‘Lady Molly of Scotland Yard’ and half of the ladies in the moving and delicately funny ‘The Ladies of Cranford’ both adapted by and performed with Rachel Laurence. Sandra also directed The Key to The Garden which features Rachel Laurence and which will be at the Everyman Studio on 15 January.
Writer Stewart Howson’s plays include ‘Country Voices’ and ‘Betty’s Mirror’ for York Theatre Royal and ‘On Yer Bike’, ‘Staying Here’ and ‘Quay Moments’ for NTC. He has also successfully adapted, amongst others, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Tartuffe’ and ‘Great Expectations’ for the stage. Stewart was commissioned to write ‘Behind Yon Hill’ for the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham which also toured ‘These Things Do Happen’ receiving a nomination for the TMA/Martini Awards for best tour.
Fast Woman
13/14 Jan, 7.45pm
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Tickets: £7.50 (£6 concessions)
Box Office: 01242 572573
