Projects
Once, Neil Marlow's life was a spontaneous festival of frivolity, friends and funk music. Now, it's one of OAPs, weekly bingo and ready-meals. Neil Marlow (aka The Rev), has chosen a life of the cloth above a life of liberalism and, like so many before him, he is convinced that his sexuality and extroverted personality is incompatible with his religious beliefs. This is the story of that struggle. The struggle of repression and rejection, of the vain attempt to leave a part of himself behind in the belief that he will somehow be happier if he inhibits his true self.
Watersmeet and Needlemouse present a Fabia Martin film, supported by funding from the British Film Institute (BFI). THE REV was filmed in May 2021 and has so far screened at BFI London Film Festival 2021 and Cambridge Film Festival 2021.
Follow The Rev on Instagram for some stunning behind the scenes shots and further festival and distribution news.
Wind in my hair. Homeward bound. Eyes on the evening ahead. Collision 15:26.
When Vee embarks on her cycling commute, she has no idea she’ll never make it home. Appearing in a Nightingale Court to face the driver - suffering from amnesia, armed only with her hospital notes, a surprise appearance on 24 Hours in A&E and a bag of ripped clothes - she tries to piece together what happened to her that day. But what she can’t work out is why something so awful… can make her feel so fantastic.
An uplifting story of hope and survival, this new one-person play explores the female cycling experience and the phenomenon known as Post Traumatic Growth. Made in partnership with female cycling club Velociposse, Look No Hands is inspired by a real-life cycling collision experienced by actor and writer Lila in 2010.
Written and Performed by Lila Clements & Directed by Anna Ryder, Look, No Hands was a recipient of the 2021 National Partnership Award with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, supported by the William Syson Foundation.
From her balcony, Marie blasts out the same tune, every day at 11am. On hers, Stella tends to red geraniums bursting with colour and life.
Two tower blocks facing each other. Two women who are looking for something more.
Written by Gemma Lawrence, directed by James Hillier, and produced by Jack Holden, SUNNYMEAD COURT played at the Tristan Bates Theatre from September 22nd to October 3rd 2020 to socially-distanced audiences, and to audiences at home via live stream. SUNNYMEAD COURT was one of the first shows to open in London after the lockdown in March 2020. It was generously supported by Arts Council England, and was nominated for four Off West End Awards.
SUNNYMEAD COURT returned to the stage in summer 2021. Opening at Arcola Outside, then playing at the Dukes Theatre Lancaster, Theatr Clwyd and the Ustinov Studio, Bath, adding the inimitable Sasha Frost to its cast in a revamped production for indoor and outdoor stages.
For more information visit the Defibrillator website, here.
CRUISE is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer's last night on Earth. Set across one explosive night in Soho in 1988, CRUISE is an uplifting, musical odyssey, which pays tribute to a generation lost to the AIDs crisis, which celebrates the kaleidoscopic characters of a lost Soho, and which encourages us to live every day as if it's our last.
Jack's debut play was filmed and made available on Stream.Theatre before opening at the Duchess Theatre, London on May 17th 2021. It ran until June 13th, with tickets available at cruisetheplay.co.uk.
***** The Telegraph, The Upcoming, A Younger Theatre, Gay Times, BroadwayWorld, Theatre Weekly.
**** The Guardian, iNews, Attitude, The Stage, Whatsonstage.
CRUISE was produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Lambert Jackson Productions. The streamed production was produced in association with Shoreditch Town Hall.
CRUISE is published by Methuen Drama and is available to purchase, here.
Written by Cristian Solimeno, NEAR depicts a young couple sharing fragile moments of intimacy, as they struggle to connect with reality, and each other.
“NEAR is a portrait of intimacy. I hope it draws audiences deep into its delicate heart, prompting reflection on the difficulties of being close to others. A quietly resonant film for all who have ever loved.” - Jassa Ahluwalia. Jassa also stars in the film, alongside Olivier nominee Amy Lennox.
NEAR is produced by Jassa and Watersmeet Productions. NEAR is executive produced by Neville Pierce, Esther Paterson and Stefan Allesch-Taylor - the executive producing team behind HEART'S EASE - and by Nick Giles, who was executive producer on BLOOD OUT OF A STONE.
NEAR was official selection at New Renaissance Film Festival London 2021, where it won BEST UK SHORT.
NEAR will be available to stream soon.
Dan and Michael are meeting up for a date with a difference. Michael has set a challenge to test their first impressions of each other. But Dan is out of his comfort zone; he isn't used to dates requiring such vulnerability. Set against the backdrop of Central and East London, BLOOD OUT OF A STONE explores the modern dating scene, gay identity and loneliness. This intimate story of almost connections asks why we sometimes deny ourselves the happy ending we so crave...
BLOOD OUT OF A STONE premiered at BFI Flare 2018, then played at Leeds Queer Film Festival, Inside Out (Toronto LGBT Film Festival), New Renaissance Film Festival, London (Nominated for Best Debut Director), North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Way OUT West Film Fest, Albuquerque, Melbourne Queer Film Festival and Mix Copenhagen LGBTQ Film Festival.
It is distributed by Peccadillo Pictures, and can be bought here, and streamed on the BFI Player.
