Date and Times
Wed 02 July @ 8:15pm in Squeak, TWFringe
Thur 03 July @ 8:15pm in Squeak, TWFringe
A whirlwind one-woman comedy play following a wannabe yummy mummy on her mission to have it all. Wummy is broke, flat-sharing and craving luxury. Her dream? “A Chelsea townhouse, husband, baby, nanny, and - most importantly - a bin hidden within a kitchen island!" Wummy attempts to manifest her dream life, but the universe answers her call with an unexpected bump in the road. Performed by Charis King, featured on BBC. “I would pay to watch Charis drink a cup of tea - let alone perform a show.” Sophie Winkleman (Peep Show). Direction and dramaturgy by Octavia Gilmore.
Charis King is an actress and a seasoned character comedian, regularly featured on the BBC. She was a fan-favourite on BBC Radio Kent, where she performed sketches as the much-loved Granny Claris for three years on Steve N Allen's comedy show and appeared on Pat Marsh and Erika North's show and BBC Sport Relief with improv comedy. She wrote for BBC's Upload program and performed in their Comedy Tent on BBC iPLayer. Her theatre credits include roles such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Paul Stebbings, MBE) and Cecily in The Importance of being Earnest with the RSC’s Aileen Gonsalves.
Octavia Gilmore is a writer, director with a diverse career. In theatre, her credits include Hamsptead theatre and international tours with Butterfly. An Edinburgh Festival veteran, she performs with the acclaimed improv comedians Impromptu Shakespeare (Broadway Baby (★★★★★ Pocket Size Theatre ★★★★★) and co-created the sell-out play Catching Up, which transferred to Theatre N16 (London Theatre 1 ★★★★). In film, her comedy shorts have been featured by the British Comedy Guide and she executive produced and starred in the comedy-horror When the Screaming Starts (100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). Octavia is currently developing her dark-comedy feature Granny’s Holiday, commended by BBC Open Call, Launchpad, and 4Screenwriting.
Running time: 60min
Suitable for Age 12+
Warnings: N/A
REVIEWS
The Stage
“King prods mercilessly at the dark underbelly with great success.”
Reviews for director’s previous works:
★★★★ LondonTheatre1
'A work worth checking out from a young and talented new company.'
★★★★ Last Minute Theatre Tickets
'Catching Up is a well acted, emotional piece and is well worth going to see.'
Broadway Baby
‘The skillfully written script provides a strong realism and flow to the speech… Catching Up is a gripping piece of new theatre’
Beginner’s to the Stage
‘The emotionally charged performance led by ArtsEd graduates Emily Schofield and Octavia Gilmore was gripping from start to finish. The dramatic plot included new twists and turns which could never be expected, which left the audience enthralled to see what would happen next. The piece is not short of heartbreaking drama, as the plot unravels, the audience and actors are pushed into an emotional realm as morals and human nature are tested.’
The F Word
‘Gilmore and Schofield draw the audience into an intense drama which starts off as an innocent catch up between friends and then unfolds with shocking revelations, unsolicited advice and a sinister ultimatum. The play touches on some feminist themes such as motherhood, abortion and the frequently discussed question of whether women can ‘have it all’ when it comes to career and family. Amid the tension, there are a few welcome moments of unexpected humour and just when I think I know where the plot is going, another twist surprises me. Gilmore and Schofield are accomplished performers and I find myself hooked by the powerful simplicity of this piece of theatre.’
CREATIVES
Writer, performer and producer: Charis King
Director and dramaturg: Octavia Gilmore
Presented by Charis King
CAST:
Charis King as Wummy
