BBC Four announces all female cast and writers for Snatches: Moments From 100 Years Of Women's Lives curated by Vicky Featherstone
Jodie Comer (My Mad Fat Diary), Corinne Skinner-Carter (EastEnders), Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey), Romola Garai (Atonement, The Hour), Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones), Liv Hill (Three Girls), Kiran Sonia Sawar (Black Mirror) and Antonia Thomas (Misfits) will take leading roles in a series of eight ambitious and challenging monologues written by women to mark 100 years of Suffrage, produced by BBC Studios Pacific Quay Productions.
Published: 16 May 2018
The wonderful range of writers, actors and film-makers involved, represent only the tip of the iceberg of talent, provocation and idea.
Curated by Royal Court Artistic Director, Vicky Featherstone, in association with the Royal Court Theatre, the 15 minute monologues are inspired by women who have spoken out, challenged the status quo or made a stand - often at great personal cost. The eight films are written by some of the UK’s most celebrated female writers including BAFTA award-winning playwright Abi Morgan (The Hour, Suffragette, The Split), Zinnie Harris (Spooks, How To Hold Your Breath) Tanika Gupta (Lions And Tigers), alongside exciting new female writing voices EV Crowe, Theresa Ikoko, Charlene James, Vicky Jones and Rachel De-Lahay.
Vicky Featherstone says: "The Royal Court is delighted to be teaming up with BBC Four to bring eight untold stories about ordinary women who do the extraordinary, to our screens. The wonderful range of writers, actors and film-makers involved, represent only the tip of the iceberg of talent, provocation and idea. We have come quite a long way in 100 years, but these pieces explode with the proof that we still have a lot further to go."
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, says: “Like the Suffragettes that inspired them, the eight monologues for BBC Four promise to be angry, dangerous and unlike anything seen before. I’m incredibly proud to welcome Vicky Featherstone and her incredibly talented team of all-female collaborators to BBC Four on this most important of anniversaries”.
Vicky Featherstone is Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre, in London. The Executive Producer is Debbie Christie and is made by BBC Studios Pacific Quay Productions. The eight, 15 minute series was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor BBC Four and Emma Cahusac, Commissioning Editor for Arts. The Directors are Vanessa Caswill (BBC Little Women, Thirteen) and Rachna Suri. Filming begins in London this month.
Snatches: Moments From 100 Years Of Women’s Lives is scheduled to transmit in the UK this summer as a central part of BBC’s Hear Her season, which will mark the anniversary of women’s suffrage.
GJ
Monologue details
Compliance
Written by Abi Morgan, featuring Golden Globe and Bafta nominated Romola Garai (The Hour, Atonement ). An actress’s experience of meeting the producer.
Outside
Written by Theresa Ikoko (Girls, Soho Theatre - winner of the Alfred Fagon Award 2015 and the George Devine Award 2016) featuring Corinne Skinner-Carter (EastEnders). A 90 year old woman looks back on her eventful life.
Bovril Pam
Written by Vicky Jones (The One, Touch), featuring Jodie Comer (My Mad Fat Diary, Dr Foster). A secretary in the 1960s starts to explore her sexuality.
Multiples
Written by Zinnie Harris, featuring Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey, Happy Valley). Looking at the experience of a woman accused of killing her child, whose testimony is not believed.
Pig Life
Written by EV Crowe (Kin, Royal Court Theatre - nominated for Evening Standard most promising new playwright award 2010) featuring Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones, Harry Potter). Inspired by women who spoke out about their experiences to change the law, in 1990, when rape in marriage was still legal.
Pritilata
Written by Tanika Gupta (The Waiting Room, National Theatre, A Doll’s House, BBC Audio Drama Award), featuring Kiran Sonia Sawar (Black Mirror, Murdered By My Father). Inspired by the story of Pritillata Waddedar, who campaigned for Bengali women to get the vote in 1930’s Colonial India.
Reclaim The Night
Written by Charlene James (Cuttin It, Royal Court/Young Vic-winner of George Devine Award, Critics Circle Award, Evening Standard Theatre Award for most Promising Playwright, Alfred Fagon Award for Best New Play), featuring Liv Hill (Three Girls and Bafta Best Supporting Actress nominee). Capturing a moment in the experience of a 19 year old woman in Leeds in 1977.
Tipping Point
Written by Rachel De-Lahay (Evening Standard: Charles Wintour award for most promising playwright, Kiri, Channel 4) featuring Antonia Thomas (Misfits, The Good Doctor, Lovesick). Set in 2028 and the 100th anniversary of all women in the UK getting the vote, what will the situation be for women?
