LIL Play Programme 2018

A play by Val Holmes

LIL JUBILEE CENTRAL, HULL 2oTH - 24TH March 2018 AUTHOR: Val Holmes.

PRODUCER: Paul A Dennis.

DIRECTOR: Chris Gruca.

STAGE MANAGER: Nathan Smith.

WARDROBE SUPERVISION: Val Holmes.

COSTUMES: Dove House No.87 Vintage.

Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) PROPS: Jamie Wilkes / NAPA

We started our ‘LIL’ company because we were inspired by the story of Lillian Bilocca.

During January and February in 1968, three Hull trawlers sank in as many weeks. Lil was a strong, determined Hull woman. A fish-factory worker “off ” Hessle Road, Hull, East Yorkshire, England.

In the male dominated society which was Hessle Road, it was unheard of for women to be so vocal, but LIL felt she had to do something.

She fought and succeeded in stopping fishing in extreme weather and for adequate safety equipment and support to be put in place.

Her actions, along with many others from the Hessle Road community is now estimated to have saved thousands of Trawler men’s lives. It made her a Hero in Hull and briefly throughout the country. If you didn’t know about her, you will now and in the future. We want to tell the story about those times and the price she paid. She lost her job, her friends and the life she once had on Hessle Road.

The LIL DRAMA COMPANY, in honour of Lil’s spirit, will explore this and other strong stories by Northern Writers. Our core of Actors are from this area. Our original plays will hopefully connect with many audiences to entertain and inform. We hope you’ll come to know and enjoy them.

SET DESIGN: Paul A Dennis.

SET PROD. SOUND & LIGHTING: Agility Events.

MARKETING: Paul A Dennis & Val Holmes.

SOUNDSCAPES: Ben Wade DESIGN,WEBSITE & ADVERTISING: Paul A Dennis.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Thomas Arron & Jerome Wittingham OUTSIDE PROMOTIONS: Lil’s Lasses.

OUR SINCERE THANKS GO TO: Ernie & Lil Bilocca.

Virginia McKenzie (Daughter of Lil Bilocca) Gough & Davy.

Dave Burns, Amanda White & Phil White from Radio Humberside.

Caroline Bilton, BBC Look North.

Donna Finn, FemaleEgo & Julie Young.

Leven Lites Drama Group.

Deborah Cassar.

GMB Branch 7, Grimsby.

Dove House Hospice.

The UK City of Culture.

FOUNDERS, VAL HOLMES & PAUL A DENNIS

© THE LIL DRAMA COMPANY LTD 2017

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A word from the author Val Holmes.

Good Evening!

I was born in West Hull and my Grandfather worked on the Fish Docks.

When I was five my family moved to East Hull. I lived for the days when we would return to visit my Grandparent’s home in Granville Street and visit Hessle Road.

Mam bought our uniforms from The Clothing House, shopped at Boyes and bought our Sunday joint from Ted Keys.

I knew and loved that community.

In 2011, I chose to explore the story of one of it’s inhabitants, Lillian Bilocca.

One of the four heroic women campaigners who changed the face of the fishing

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industry forever after the Triple Trawler Disaster in 1968.

To do justice to all of the events and the people, (every single one of which has their story), was impossible. So all of the characters are symbolic of the time, only the place names are authentic. I have incorporated certain phrases that resonated with me during my research and have endeavoured to bring the Hessle Road humour and ‘turn of phrase’ to life.

I hope you enjoy my take on an amazing women’s story in this wonderful theatre space, here at Jubilee Central.

In 1968 three trawlers the St. Romanus, Kingston Peridot and the Ross Cleveland were lost in quick succession with the loss of 58 lives!

At this time it was not illegal to sail without a radio. The St. Romanus had no radio on board.

Lil Bilocca, along with fellow campaigners, Mary Denness, Christine Jenson,Yvonne Blenkinsop and the women of Hessle Road, brought about changes that undoubtedly saved the lives of thousand’s of the countries fishermen.

Throughout the campaign she never changed, always wanting to portray what she essentially was, a fisherman’s wife from Hull.

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Gina Garton is LIL, and a determined Hull Lass too!

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PHOTO by Thomas Arran

CA S T I NG L I L It takes a lot to persue a career in the acting field and local girl Gina Garton is certainly made of the right stuff. Hard working and a total enthusiast she inspires the kind of admiration from fans that give any production a ready made following. She was for many years on the cabaret circuit doing the clubs and holiday camps. With a penchant for musical theatre, it bodes well for any future adaptation for LIL - The Musical!

Since filming her in an early full read through in 2015 with local actors, we couldn’t see anyone else filling LIL’s boots.

She hasn’t disappointed and has truly made the role her own.

CALLING ON A POOL OF LOCAL TALENT!

Part of the Lil Drama Company’s ethos will always be to cast locally. But how do you find out what talent is around this area?

We first asked everyone we knew in the theatre world and also joined the online casting website Spotlight. Unfortunately not much came from that. We then put together our own casting call form onto our website and flooded social media groups and contacts, soon the entries started to flow in.

It’s one thing getting plenty of responses it’s quite another planning the audition process. So with military X-Factor logistics, photo cards and info sheets at the ready we set up our rehearsal space at PAD STUDIOS to welcome the budding players.

Val and I were wise enough to then leave the making of notes and the overall decision to our brilliant Director Chris Gruca. Who somehow took down accurate and thoughtful feedback about each to pull the cast out of the bag.

THANK YOU CHRIS! From professionals to the totally inexperienced, we know the talent is there for future projects and we’d like your help to build our database even more.

Chris Gruca works as a freelance PLEASE SEND PEOPLE TO:

www.lildramacompany.uk/casting

arts practitioner and for Theatre On The Edge. He was formerly the Head of an “Outstanding” OFSTED-rated Performing Arts department at a Hullbased Sixth Form College. He has a variety of performing, directing and teaching experience.

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LIL

ROSE

GINA GARTON Over the years I have been fortunate to work with many local theatre groups in a variety of major and minor roles. I was in ‘A Lassie from Lancashire’, a one woman tribute to Gracie Fields. I played Mrs Johnson in ‘Blood Brothers’ and Shelby in ‘Steel Magnolias’, and more recently MrsVenable in ‘Sebastian’. I am honoured and excited to be a part of this heroic Hull story and to portray Lil Bilocca.

JACKIE RODGERS I have played in many of our local and regional theatres. At Hull Truck as the mother in ‘The Gaul’. Northern Theatre in‘Veronica’s Room’ and as Gran in ‘The Little Match Girl’ with Assemble Fest.

This year I played at the Edinburgh Festival with M.U.F.U. in ‘Dirty Bitches’.

I am really pleased to be involved in telling Lil’s story at this significant time for the City of Hull.

REPORTER

JOE

CHARLIE

CHRISTOPHER C CORBETT I have acted in a few shows at Hull New Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Since returning to Hull from University, I’ve recently started performing again. In Jekyll and Hyde in May and Sebastian in August. I’m really enjoying performing again and love the challenge of this larger role.

SHANE EDWARDS Over the past twelve years I have played many characters, (quite a few as the husband!) at some fantastic venues, I am still actively involved and touring with a production company in a play about the East Hull Docks, as well as performing some of my own material in and around Hull. I was brought up on Hessle Road, my father worked the docks all his life and lost his brother on the St. Romanus, His father was also lost at sea.

STAN HAYWOOD I’ve done a wide variety of things including a principle role in the City of light for two and a half weeks at Hull Truck, I was also chosen to read the poem “The City Speaks” that opened Hulls city of Culture on the 1st Jan 2017. Other work includes working for Hull CC and the History Troupe in various roles one of which was a character called Aubrey Pocock telling the story of the fishing industry in pubs including Rayners on Hessle road.

THE MAIN CAST

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BRENDA

TREVOR

LINDA

HANNAH ROBERTSON As a professionally trained actor, I’ve been in outdoor Shakespeare for the National Trust, played leading roles in ‘classic’ plays like School for Scandal, TheVortex and A Streetcar Named Desire.

I appeared in The Tattershall Castle, Hull last year as MAM! I’m loving getting my teeth into the vibrant local theatre scene.

GEORGE MARTIN I have a lot of theatre experience through local groups and have just completed my BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts. I have been involved in a range of productions including Billy Elliot,West Side Story, Cyrano de Bergerac and One flew Over the Cuckoos Nest where I played lead roles. I am also pursuing opportunities in screen acting and currently completing training withYAFTA.

BETHENI MAY CONYERS I’ve just graduated with a first class BA honours degree in Drama and Theatre Practice at Hull University. I love all forms of theatre, from Shakespeare to musicals and I have performed in excess of thirty amateur productions. I have also been involved in professional theatre. I aspire to be a professional actress, and in my spare time I design and create headdresses for productions.

KATH

PAT

DAN & CLERK

NATALIE TAYLOR I am passionate person with deep links to the fishing industry and Hull as a city.

I have no direct experience in theatre however I am committed to anything I undertake. I am bold, enthusiastic and have a lot of energy. So when this role came up I just went for it! Like ‘LIL’ I am honest, upfront and down to earth. What you see is what you get. I’m also one of the LIL’S LASSES and have enjoyed every minute sharing her story.

SALLY E WITTS I’m a Mum to three girls, wife, full time senior teacher, tap dancer, writer.

I studied a Masters in Drama at Bretton Hall and have taught Drama & Theatre for 15 years. I feel Drama can be a force for truth, change, questions & celebration.

I love exploring and telling stories of powerful, inpsirational people. I’m doing this to inspire my girls & help ‘SAVE OUR STORIES’ for future generations.

JIM MATTHEWS I am a primary school teacher and have been involved with amateur theatre for twenty years including various projects with Northern Theatre Company and shows with Hessle Theatre.

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NIGHTCLUB MANAGER

POLICEMAN

FEMALE SUPERVISOR

STEVE WILLIS

JEFF LAWLOR

NAOMI BEDWORTH

OLD TIMER

JIMMY

MAN ON DOCKSIDE

GRAHAM BROOKS

JAYDEN PLATTEN

BARRIE WHEATLEY

POLITICIAN

TRAWLERMAN

TRAWLERMAN

MARK BONES

ROD DENNISON

EDDIE YOUNG

SUPPORTING CAST 10

COMMUNITY CAST Jean Shakesby Shelly Tock Georgina McEwan Julie Cartwright Sally E Witts Charlotte Bogatinova Danielle Staves Julie Wickenden Shirley McWatt Sue Thompson Lynne Kirby Glynis Hird Pamela McArdle Julie Wilkinson Julie Gibson Alison Morris Janet Burton

Sue Sinclair Ruth Cunliffe Sue Conboy Helen Powell Sue Hunt Naomi Bedworth Natalie Taylor Alison Bowmaster Julie Renfree Smith Julie Parker Anne Marie Binns Julie Robinson Becky Howes Mel Windas Louise Harmon Shirley Kay Susan Donaghue

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SCENES ACT ONE Scene 1 - BAILEYS NIGHTCLUB

REHEARSAL PHOTOS

Scene 2 - THE FISH HOUSE Scene 3 - ROSE’S KITCHEN Scene 4 - RAYNERS PUB Scene 5 - ROSE’S KITCHEN Scene 6 - ST. ANDREWS DOCK Scene 7 - THE FISH HOUSE Scene 8 - OUTSIDE ROSE’S HOUSE

INTERVAL - 20mins ACT TWO Scene 1 - LIL’S KITCHEN Scene 2 - ROSE’S KITCHEN Scene 3 - VICTORIA HALL Scene 4 - ST. ANDREW’S DOCK Scene 5 - ROSE’S HOUSE Scene 6 - PARAGON STATION Scene 7 - WESTMINSTER Scene 8 - VICTORIA HALL

- Please Note THE BAR WILL STAY OPEN UNTIL 10.30PM AFTER THE PERFORMANCE.

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PHOTO’s by Jerome Whittingham

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OUR LIL’S LASSES!

THEY’VE TAKEN LIL’S STORY INTO THEIR HEARTS AND PROMOTED OUR CAMPAIGN TO “SAVE OUR STORIES” 16

Little did we know when we started this project that there would be such an amazing response from the Hull community to help us share LIL’S story.

For the past 12 months up to 50 strong Hull Women have dressed up with headscarves and handbags and.. flashmobbed Humber Street Gallery, been filmed re-enacting LIL’S own silent march of 200 women, turned out in force at the Bingo, appeared at Hessle Road Heritage events and walked through all the major shopping centres and streets of Hull. ..Phew!

THEIR COMMITMENT AND PASSION HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD TO THE PROJECT. 17

Giving their time and energy freely was rewarded with some memorable moments in this special culture year.

Many of the LASSES shared their own lives and stories with new friends during the run up to the play.

Most are in the actual performance each evening and helping out in the theatre.

VI E W TH E I R F U LL G ALLERY O N: 18

www.lildramacompany.uk/galler y

OUR THANKS TO ALL THE LASSES WHO HELPED SHARE OUR STORY

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LIL “SAVE OUR STORIES” CAMPAIGN. Help us to spread the word and fund the LIL DRAMA COMPANY’S future search for great local stories..

1. JUNIOR HOODIE - £20 8

2. ADULT CONTRAST HOODIE - £27.50 3. BOBBLE BEANIE - £12 4. BEANIE (BLACK) - £12 5. SCARF - £10 6. COTTON BAG (BLACK) - £10 7. CHILD’S T-SHIRT - £15 8. FLEECE - £30 9. ADULT T-SHIRT - £15

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TO ORDER ANY OF THE ITEMS GOT TO: www.luvull.com/shop

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..remembering the 58