Victoria Melody

Presented by Contact + Word of Warning during Flying Solo Festival 2014

####In Brief
How an average 34 year old became a beauty queen, and her unruly + slightly smelly pet basset hound (Major Tom) became a championship show dog.

Watch trailer here.

####Venue + Booking Details
Date: Thursday 20 March, 8pm
Venue: Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
Tickets: £11/6 | Special offer: buy ten + get one free
Box Office Tel: 0161 274 0600

####Access Information
The performance lasts approximately 65 minutes with no interval; with a high text-content (including swearing) it is comedic and partly delivered in a lecture-style; includes some use of projected image/film. Age advisory: 14+

####Q&A
Following a short break, there will be a post-show talk with the company.

####Masterclass
Led by Victoria — a look at her creative triggers and approach to creating research-based work; more details here. Over 14s only
Date: Thursday 20 March 2014, 12noon-3pm.
Venue: Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
Tickets: £10/8 (in person or telephone only)
Box Office Tel: 0161 274 0600

####More
Victoria unknowingly discovered that her basset hound (Major Tom) had prize-winning potential at a charity dog show and seized the opportunity to access the subculture of this extraordinarily exclusive member’s only club. Major Tom’s first championship show was a disaster and, feeling an overpowering sense of guilt about her dog being scrutinised, Victoria decided to put herself through the same process by becoming a beauty queen.

Major Tom and Victoria increasingly immersed themselves into the obsessive and confusing realm of personal scrutiny as they participated as genuine contestants and aimed to win — Major Tom went to Crufts, with Victoria at 34 and 5ft 4 competing in Mrs England 2013; she currently holds the title of Mrs Brighton.

This one woman, one dog show follows their story, reflecting on the British fascination with celebrities, beauty, and winning.

####Who is she?
Victoria Melody studied her post-graduate in fine art at Chelsea College of Art in 2001. Since 2001 Victoria has been creating humorous and thought-provoking work that appeals to a wide audience. Projects range from touring theatrical works to performance interventions and video installations.

Victoria has presented her work nationally + internationally at venues including Jacksons Lane, Soho Theatre, Carriageworks (Leeds), Oxford Playhouse, The Lowry, Bristol Old Vic, Cambridge Junction, Battersea Arts Centre, Summerhall (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Push Festival (Canada), Aarhus Festival (Denmark) + Brisbane Festival (Australia).

Victoria Melody is produced by Farnham Maltings; they support, collaborate with, and invest in artists to make new theatre and reach new audiences.

####What people have said about her
A preview of Major Tom on tour by The Guardian’s Lyn Gardner.

5* A truly winning comedy that is half-literally about the triumph of the underdog
The Times
4* Victoria Melody has a unique way of looking at life. We could all do well to take time out and spend time in Victoria’s world. Life would certainly be a brighter place.
The Public Reviews
4* Beneath the show’s natural charm there’s an uneasy commentary on self-obsession.
Exeunt Magazine

####Credits
Created + performed by Victoria Melody.
Commissioned + produced by Farnham Maltings. Developed at BAC, The Showroom (Chichester), MAKE (Ireland) + Nightingale Theatre. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England; supported by Harlow Theatre + Escalator East to Edinburgh.

####Websites
www.victoriamelody.co.uk | www.farnhammaltings.com | @victoriamelody | @farnhammaltings