Sue MacLaine A Place of Safety
Sat 4 Sep, 6pm
Pavilion Theatre
What do we expect from those appointed to look after children on society’s behalf? And how do we judge them when things go wrong?
Director Stephen Clark and a cast of seven present a rehearsed reading of a new play by Sue MacLaine. This is the second play from Sue to be presented at Brighton Dome: Sid Lester’s Big Night In (formerly All That I Was / All That I Am) featured as part of Brighton Festival 2010.
Taking as its starting point the case of 8-year-old Maria who was killed by her stepfather in Brighton in 1973, MacLaine’s new play explores questions of responsibility, care and judgement.
Free. If you would like to attend, e-mail ad@brightondome.org including “Work in Progress: A Place of Safety” in the subject line.
Sue MacLaine
26 August, 2010
I keep circling towards the same places until my past becomes fiction.
I grew up in Brighton and vividly remember the impact of the Maria Colwell case. My parents got the mirror newspaper and one edition had a photograph of Maria on the front cover. The image and the story lodged in my brain and stayed there until 2003 when I wrote a 20 minute performance piece based on the Colwell case. That piece is nothing like the play you will hear but it was the beginning. I hope the reading of A Place of Safety will provoke comment and debate and I hope it will lead towards a production, one supported by a programme of lectures, workshops, and discussions that involves both social work practitioners and artists interested in grappling with some of the issues raised.
rachel blackman
27 August, 2010
I have seen this piece evolve through several drafts and feel really proud to be a part of the reading of A Place of Safety on the 4th September.
In her treatment of this most sensitive and inflammatory of subjects, Sue MacLaine has brought to bear a deep respect, rigor and profound humanity. She has wrestled with this almost indigestible story and transformed it into a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility.
I hope it lives well and strong.
tim crouch
1 September, 2010
I read A Place of Safety a couple of years ago. It has stayed with me. Very excited to hear it this weekend.
Charlotte Vincent
2 September, 2010
Liz Aggiss introduced me to Sue earlier this year. She posesses an acutely intelligent wit, exudes great warmth and cares deeply about the world and it’s Personal and political injustices. I celebrate her desire to put hard issues out there for us to discuss and debate together. For all the Baby P’s that we never hear about, we owe children our attention around issues of care, protection and collective parenting. I look forward to the reading very much.
sue maclaine
7 September, 2010
It is difficult, even though I am a writer, to express the thrill of hearing ones own words performed. The reading on Saturday was fantastic, thrilling and moving. We had a great day rehearsing in the Pavilion. All 7 actors, myself and Stephen Clark interrogating the best way to represent the different layers and landscapes in the script. Everyone brought a rigourous and joyful professionalism to the day and the actors genuinely (I believe) engaged with the script and wanted to give the best possible service to it. And they did! I’m not sure how many were in the audience but it felt like a good number, all giving intelligent concentration. Prior to the reading, I was interested to see how the script worked in a large space…and was very pleased to witness it rising to fill the space rather than be dwarfed by it. An absolutely wondeful experience, topped off by some lovely conversations and drinks in the Pavilion bar afterwards (they serve a particularly good white wine). I will gradually gather feedback from people who attended and let that inform my thoughts about what next. I have some ideas but need to let them perculate for a little longer. My thanks for the opportunity, my thanks to all who attended.