Persistent and Nasty Hope

This is the manifesto for Persistent & Nasty, “a script-reading, debate and art as activism initiative for women and gender minorities in the stage and screen industries.”

“Hope for the Future”

Having learnt much and really enjoyed myself at a Persistent and Nasty event at last year’s Fringe, I was absolutely delighted to be asked to take part in their “Hope for the Future” evening! This was recorded live at the CCA in Glasgow and is available now: you can watch it here

The event involved two rehearsed readings of short scripts by Jerusha Green and Tamara von Werthern, followed by a Q&A with guest speaker Dawn Sievewright and the actors, including Elaine Stirrat and Misha McCullagh of Persistent and Nasty.

Run by Civil Disobedience, “Persistent and Nasty is a script-reading, debate and art as activism initiative for the female-identified voice in stage and screen...Our goal is to create a project that is safe and supportive, but that is also an act of protest. Persistent and Nasty is about changing the cultural narrative through the stories we tell.”

Discussions from the “Hope for the Future” event include what makes a strong female character, differences between generations and cultures in Scotland / UK when it comes to making progress on equality, and what we can do to create the changes we want to see. I found I actually had things to say myself, especially on awareness and what is non-conscious.

I’d love to hear your opinions! What do you feel / think of the plays and the discussion?

Maya Angelou & Defeat

Maya Angelou on encountering defeats & not being defeated - Pinterest

Wonderful wisdom from Dr Maya Angelou interviewed by Marianne Schnall, including (among so much!) courage and courtesy, words and the arts, and the difference between being brought low and being reduced.

Continue reading Maya Angelou & Defeat

Who is the “greatest director of all times”?

Great interview with Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji, recently on BBC2 in the Anthony Hopkins ‘King Lear’ and currently playing Othello at Shakespeare in the Park, NYC.

There is a lot worth listening to, and here I’ve listed some favourites of mine – what would you pull out?

07:25 (10:25) “Steeped in the language”: the very sounds of the words, Shakespeare as “the greatest director of all times” – the importance of the language

11:50 (13:15) How Iwuji copes if he doesn’t feel something coming from another actor for him to respond to and he is “looking at dead air”

21:15 On Hamlet (including women playing)

23:00 On Ira Aldridge, great 19th century black actor

29:30 “Acting is happening constantly” for an actor, not just when in a job (part of the Q&A section that starts at 27:00)

So… what strikes you most?  Comment below!