Love Match, a brand new play by Stroud-based writer Alice Jolly, premieres in the Everyman Studio during Valentine’s Week.
Alice was awarded Arts Council funding to develop the script in co-operation with the Everyman, Cheltenham Borough Council and the Bangladeshi community in Cheltenham.
The play centres around the issue of arranged marriages, comparing the Eastern approach to the Western love match. The theme was suggested by a Cheltenham-based Bangladeshi women’s group and in writing the play, Alice used ideas and stories provide by the group. Binda Singh, the director commented “Alice has written a timely and thought provoking piece which I am sure will interest many people of all backgrounds.”
The plot revolves around Abdul and Mumtaz and their doubts about arranged marriage. Trish and Dave believe in romantic love but their relationship also has its own uncertainty. What do both couples really know about each other and anyway, who cares when England is playing cricket against Bangladesh!
This is a world premiere and Alice hopes to tour the show nationally over the next 18 months. The cast includes Rob Leetham, Ali Zaidi, Sanita Sims and Stroud-based actor Kim Baker.
Alice said “ I really enjoyed working alongside the Bangladeshi community of Cheltenham and I’m looking forward to seeing their response.”
Alice is part of the Writers’ Lab at the Everyman Studio Theatre, which is led by Paul Milton, Creative Director at the Everyman. The Writers’ Lab develops and promotes new local writing. Other recent Writers’ Lab successes include Miranda Walker’s play An Inspector Calls Back, which transferred to the Courtyard Theatre in London and for which Paul won the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for the encouragement of new writing and also Martin Lytton, who won first prize in the prestigious Scriptspace competition.
LOVE MATCH
Everyman Studio Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ
Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th February, 7pm (Sat mat 2pm)
Tickets: £3 available from the Everyman Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk
