Rachel Mars
The Way You Tell Them
Presented by The Basement/East by South East, Contact + Word of Warning during Flying Solo Festival 2014
####In Brief
A hilarious and moving show about how we use and abuse comedy.
Watch trailer here.
####Venue + Booking Details
Date: Thursday 13 March 2014, 7pm
Venue: Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
Tickets: £9/5 | Special offer: buy ten + get one free
Box Office Tel: 0161 274 0600
####Access Information
The performance lasts approximately 60 minutes with no interval; with a high text-content (including strong language) there’s some low-level lighting/darkness and use of projected image/film. Age advisory: 14+
####More
Rachel Mars has always relied on humour. In her latest solo performance, she goes in search of what is beyond the gags.
Turning the spotlight on the inner workings of comedy, The Way You Tell Them interrogates the desire and – sometimes uncontrollable – compulsion to be funny. What are we scared of? Where does the responsibility lie when going for a laugh?
Using real-life material, classic oral sex jokes and a wolf suit, Rachel weaves a thoughtful and provocative story that questions how we use and abuse humour. Directed by Fringe First Winner Jamie Wood, this very funny and beautifully sad show arrives from sold-out performances in Brighton, London + Edinburgh.
####Who are they?
Rachel Mars (performer/writer) is an established theatre maker and performer who specialises in witty, uncompromising work about the idiosyncrasies of human interaction. Her performances are intricately layered, combining perceptive and powerful writing with unexpected visual images. With charisma and humour she naturally puts audiences at ease, enabling her to pull the rug away exposing uncomfortable truths. Recently commissioned by Ovalhouse, Fuel Theatre + Islington Exhibits, she has performed up and down the UK, including at Spill Festival, The Barbican, The BFI, Pulse Festival, The South Bank Centre and has featured on BBC2 + BBC4.
Jamie Wood (director) is a Fringe First-winning director. He has devised work for national and international tours with artists including Caroline Horton, Toby Park (Spymonkey), Guy Dartnel and most recently with The Belarus Free Theatre and Chris Thorpe. He is an Associate Artist with Chris Goode & Company. In 2013 he was nominated for a Total Theatre Award for Beating McEnroe.
####What people have said about her
A preview of Flying Solo Festival 2014 by The Guardian’s Lyn Gardner.
A 5* review of The Way You Tell Them at Contact, by What’s On Stage.
A love letter to comedy by someone who wants it to mean something… Rachel Mars is electrifying
The Guardian
A beautifully crafted and brilliantly performed solo theatre piece
Total Theatre
Tender and humorous but incredibly human
A Younger Theatre
####Credits
Written + performed by Rachel Mars. Directed by Jamie Wood. Produced by Abby Butcher.
Commissioned by The Basement (Brighton) with support from The Roddick Foundation; originally developed as part of CPT’s Starting Blocks programme and with their on-going support. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
####Websites
www.rachelmars.org | @rachelofmars