Salford University Creative Writing graduate Alex Keelan returns to Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats with her play Angel of the House, which runs 27th Feb to 2nd March as part of the Wonder Women Festival.
I first encountered Alex at The Kings Arms Festival a couple of years ago. She performed a set of poetry that was engaging, moving and humorous. It was clear that she had a knack for wordplay and a gift for mocking anachronistic views held by establishment figures.
Alex graduated with an MA in Television and Radio Scriptwriting from Salford University in 2007. She managed to develop her talent for writing poetry and scripts work whilst working full-time and raising children. Alex is obviously driven, and has an enthusiasm to produce inventive work
"I've worked with local theatres in Manchester and I'm currently developing new work at script reading nights like ADP at the Kings Arms" she says "Most of my work explores the impact of class and gender through dark comedy."
Angel of the House debuted in October 2015, and was such a hit that Hope Mill has welcomed it back to their stage. It's Alex's second full length play and follows dark northern comedy The Loves of Others. Her writing is warm, accessible and poignant, and Angel of the House continues in the vein.
It follows three women, Annie, a suffragette, Pearl, a WWII spy, and Rose a care worker from Manchester, across three generations...
"It started through discussions with the working class history museum about women and socialism; through these discussions I discovered Hannah Mitchell's autobiography" Alex explains "Hannah was a local working class suffragette, a witty and passionate woman and one of the first councillors in the North West."
Alex was struck by her story and how her situation sounded so familiar and relevant... "The main difference was that Hannah Mitchell was more politically aware and active in her quest for suffrage, equality and better conditions for the working class. There is a presumption that we have come a long way in 100 years but the stories of Annie and Pearl highlight that in many instances we haven't."
Alex was further inspired by an essay by Virginia Woolf that mentions a Victorian poem entitled The Angel of the House. The poem discusses the perfect women as self-sacrificing and there to service her family and husband...
"Virginia Woolf references the poem when describing the only real barrier she faced as a writer was her gender" she explains "It made me think a lot about conditioning and the negative impact on both women and men and the life choices we have."
In Angel of the House, Alex examines gender politics and changing attitudes. It's quite an undertaking as it explores issues across three generations of women and takes a close look at class and political climates of the time. It's skilfully done and promises to be a great night out that will entertain, educate and definitely raise a smile or two.
Angel of the House by Alex Keelan
Produced by Asphalt Roses; Directed by Leni Murphy; Performed by Asphalt Roses
Monday 27th February - Thursday 2nd March
Hope Mill Theatre
113 Pollard Street
Ancoats, Manchester M4 7JA
Performances: Mon 27th 8pm; Tues 28th 3pm and 8pm; Wed 1st March 3pm (relaxed performance suitable for mums and babies) and 8pm; Thurs 2nd March 2:30pm and 7pm
Tickets £9/£8 to book click here
Alex will also be performing poetry on International Women's Day for Manchester Council and at Shangri-La in Prestwich in March click here
.
For more details on Alex's poetry click here
For full details of the Wonder Women Festival - click here
Words by Ian Leslie
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
