I Am Maura Show Pack

I

AM

Written by Clare McMahon

Directed by Benjamin Gould

About the Show Belfast, 2005. Maura is 15 and trying to find a boyfriend. Only she's surrounded by girls and is starting to think she might actually prefer them. Asking questions in school means awkward blushes and detention. Her only guidance is Martine McCutcheon's 'Perfect Moment' and her best mate Ali. 'I Am Maura' is a light-hearted and deft look at the life changing decisions we all face in our teenage years and how we're woefully illequipped to deal with them. It explores young sexual identity, coming of age and self-discovery.

In this one woman play audiences will encounter over two dozen characters, each defined by physicality and vocal nuance. Using direct address, storytelling and truthful dialogue, 'I Am Maura' places the audience at the centre of this pivotal week in Maura’s life.

The production is a multi-role comedy and features physical characterisation, mime, dance and direct address. It has a simple, yet visually engaging set, adaptable to the numerous settings within the play and feeding the spectacle of the performance, visiting street corners, school corridors, youth clubs and chapels. Although small in scale, the production is ambitious and full of life.

'I Am Maura' deals with themes of: growing up LGBTQ+, trying to fit in, coming-of-age, identity, religion and bigotry.

Show includes strong language, mild references to sex, mild alcohol and smoking depicted - contact us to discuss details further

''Clare McMahon has written a delightful cameo laying bare the tender life of a young girl. Funny and poignant'' Belfast Times

About the Show

Requirements

1 performer 1 stage manager

Duration 70mins - No Interval

Tech-Spec Playing area 5mX4m Please contact for LX plots and further technical requirements

Production Credits Writer Clare McMahon Director Benjamin Gould

Calla Hughes as Maura

Performer Calla Hughes Designer Stuart Marshall Lighting Designer Conal Clapper Stage Manager Jordan Nelson Assistant Producer Megan Kelly

''Visually rich and crying out to be pinched by Derry Girls!''

Alan in Belfast

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Commedia of Errors is an independent theatre company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

We create art that responds to, challenges and questions the changing times in which we live. It aims to grow, develop and inform audiences, beneficiaries and the arts sector and to broaden and deepen engagement by overcoming barriers to arts participation.

Our company has three strands to our work which we focus on: theatre productions, work for older audiences and exploring new technologies within live performance. Past productions include, 'Shakesepeare's Women', 'That Scottish Play!' and most recently the smash-hit sell out production 'The Gap Year' with the Lyric Theatre. Selected as one of the British Theatre Guide's ''Northern Ireland Theatre Highlights of 2022.''

Benjamin Gould Artistic Director Benjamin founded Commedia of Errors in 2014 and is Artistic Director of the Company. He holds a BA (Hons) Drama (1st Class) from Liverpool Hope University, and an MA Professional Acting from Alra, London. His productions have toured across Ireland, the UK, Italy and the USA. He won the 2019 John Fernald Award for Emerging Directors in UK and Ireland and is a multiple Arts Council Northern Ireland and British Council Award winner.

Recent credits as director / producer include: The Gap Year (Lyric Theatre), Lily (VR Film), The Gap Year (1st Irish Festival, New York), I Am Maura (Lyric Theatre and NI Tour), That Scottish Play! (Lyric Theatre and NI Tour), Women Troubles (CQAF), Shakespeare’s Women (CQAF, Lyric Theatre and National Tour), The Tain (Milan, Italy and tour of Ireland) and Romeo and Juliet (Hen & Chickens, London). As Assistant / Associate Director: Three Sisters (SITI Company, Singapore International Arts Festival), Molly Sweeney (Goodman Theatre Chicago), Sweeney Todd (NI Opera / Lyric Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Terra Nova).

Clare McMahon Co-Creative Clare McMahon is a playwright and actor based in Belfast and is Co-Creative of Commedia of Errors. A graduate of the Lir Academy’s MFA Playwriting she is currently under commission with Kabosh Theatre & Commedia of Errors and is one of the Abbey Theatre’s Centenary development awardees. She recently made her main stage debut with ‘The Gap Year’ at the Lyric Thetare. This smash hit production was chosen as one of British Theatre Guides ‘NI Highlights of 2022’.

Clare was shortlisted writer for Fishamble New Play Company’s ‘Play for Ireland’ and is an alumni of the Lyric Theatre’s New Playwrights Programme. Her work has been selected for New York’s 1st Irish Origin Festival Vital Voices programme and she was a shortlisted writer for the Zodiak Kids Award with CBBC. As an actor Clare trained at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and has worked in theatres across the UK & Ireland including the West End. Her work at home includes; The Lyric, The Mac, Tinderbox, Bruiser and Cahoots. Television credits include playing Fanny in The Woman in White (BBC1) and Carlo in Agatha The Truth of Murder (Netflix).

www.commediaoferrors.co.uk