"Honest Lies", a brand new play come to the Lichfield Garrick Theatre this February.
Local writers Jenny Stokes and Dawn Butler, from "Smiling Eyes Theatre and Bostin’ Creative" will be presenting "Honest Lies", a heartfelt and humorous new play, which celebrates women, motherhood and the bonds that shape their lives.
Funded by Arts Council England, this Midlands-rooted production explores the emotional cost of parenthood and celebrates the strength and resilience of women everywhere.
The play follows Marion, as memories from her painful past begin to resurface unexpectedly, sparked by a visit from her daughter, April, who has a stream of difficult questions.
Alternating between 1970’s Birmingham and the present day, "Honest Lies" weaves together the memories of the younger Marion and her husband Geoff as they navigate love, adulthood and parenthood.
Fans of seventies music will be delighted by the soundtrack.
Not only have Jenny and Dawn written the play, but they are also appearing as Marion and April respectively. This marks the first Arts Council-funded project for the ladies, who bring decades of writing, acting and life experience to this deeply personal production. They are joined by Victoria Tew who plays the younger Marion and Nick Baker as Geoff.
Dawn, from the Black Country, and Jenny, a long-time Birmingham resident, have crafted this warm, authentic story and their play is a personal tribute to the Midlands and its people.
Dawn said, “It’s been a long journey to bring it to the stage, but it’s one we have loved, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences."
The play will tour studio theatres and community venues this February and March, including the Lichfield Garrick, the Albany Theatre Coventry, the Gatehouse Theatre Stafford, Cheltenham Everyman, Gazebo Theatre Bilston, and the Old Joint Stock in Birmingham. The second performance at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre on the February 22 is BSL interpreted
The community centre performances include Gatis Community Space in Wolverhampton, Dorothy Parkes Centre in Smethwick, Aaina Community Hub in Walsall, Quatt Village Hall in Bridgnorth and the Moseley Hive, and it is worth noting that all of the community performances are offered on a "Pay What You Can" basis, to ensure accessibility for everyone.
For more information on Smiling Eyes Theatre and Bostin’ Creative, contact smilingeyestheatre@gmail.com or call 07891920719 / 07876797979.
To book tickets for "Honest Lies", visit https://linktr.ee/smilingeyestheatre
