LIVE
UPCOMING SHOWS
THE MAGIC THRILLS OF HER: UNTOLD STORIES OF WOMEN ILLUSIONISTS
2ND MAY 2025
V&A South Kensington, The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. 6.30pm
www.vam.ac.uk
7TH JUNE 2025
Clevedon Litfest, The Theatre Shop, Clevedon, BS21 6HX. 6pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk
PAST SHOWS
MARISA CARNESKY: OBSESSIONS OF A SHOWWOMAN – Book Launch
15TH NOVEMBER 2024
The British Library, 96 Euston Rd,London NW1 2DB. 7.30-9pm
www.thebritishlibraryculturalevents.seetickets.com
CARNESKY’S SHOWWOMXN SIDESHOW SPECTACULAR!
25TH & 26TH MAY 2024
Elder Place Corridor, Brighton,
www.brightonfestival.org.uk
SHOWWOMEN – A Spectacular Four Person Stage Show
30TH & 31TH MAY 2024
Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth
www.outtherearts.org.uk
16TH MARCH 2024
The Lowry, Salford M50 3AZ. 7.30pm
www.thelowry.com
14TH MARCH 2024
The Dukes, Lancaster LA1 1QE. 7.30pm
www.dukeslancaster.org
3RD FEBRUARY 2024
Drama Studio, University of Sheffield, S10 2TD. 8pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk
CARNESKY’S SHOWWOMXN SIDESHOW SPECTACULAR!
16TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Smithfield Market, Grand Avenue, London. FREE. 1-8pm
www.thecityofldn.com
14TH & 15TH SEPTEMBER 2023, 4-8PM
16TH SEPTEMBER 2023, 1-8PM
Neighbouring Cloth Fair. FREE.
MARISA CARNESKY’S TAROT READERS
22ND – 25TH JUNE 2023
Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury On Sea (near the Park stage). 10-6pm.
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
SHOWWOMEN – A Spectacular Four Person Stage Show
16TH, 17TH & 18TH JUNE 2022
Jacksons Lane, London. 7.30pm
www.jacksonslane.org.uk
8TH JUNE 2022
Colchester Arts Centre. 7.30pm
www.colchesterartscentre.com
27TH & 28TH MAY 2022
Attenborough Centre For Creative Arts (ACCA), Brighton. 8pm
www.attenboroughcentre.com
21ST MAY 2022
Norwich Arts Centre. 8pm
www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
17TH & 18TH MAY 2022
Cambridge Junction. 7.30pm
www.junction.co.uk
Spectacle, Danger, Resistance, Leopard Print, Ectoplasm.
What happens when the Showgirl grows up?
A spectacular new show researched and directed by Olivier award winning Marisa Carnesky written and devised in collaboration with Veronica Thompson/ Fancy Chance, Livia Kojo Alour and Lucifire.
1940’s body magic star Koringa, 1930’s pioneer clown Lulu Adams, 1950s Western skilled performer Florence Shufflebottom and 1880’s teeth hanging aerialist superstar Miss La La are the inspiration to explore lesser-known stories of extraordinary women in variety performance from a century ago. SHOWWOMEN compares them to the lived experiences of exceptional performers today.
Marisa performs alongside cabaret and performance stars hair hanger/comedienne Fancy Chance, sword, singing and spoken word artist Livia Kojo Alour and physical and fire performer Lucifire, interweaving live action, in depth interviews and archival footage to create a dreamlike landscape mixing death defying stunts, taboo breaking acts, political resistance and secret backstage rituals.
The show asks why and how women perform dangerous and taboo acts and explores the legacy of forgotten and marginalised British entertainers.
It looks at the collective power of women working together and the timeless representations of women performers as part animal hybrids. Expect witchy goings-on in full leopard print, naked crocodile women scaling walls, ladders of swords, live hair hanging, never-ending pom poms and ectoplasmic clowns, SHOWWOMEN channels entertainment heritage to create visions of matriarchal performance futures.
Featuring a specially commissioned soundtrack by James Johnston (Gallon Drunk, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey), Kath Warg (Snowpony, Stereolab) and Dave Knight (Danielle Dax, Unicazurn), fusing archival sound material with contemporary compositions. Other collaborators include Rosie Powell film, Emma Henderson (lighting), Imani Qamar (Set), Mark Copeland graphics and Sarah Munro costume, Ilya Elusive Rigging.
SHOWWOMEN will change the way you understand women in showbusiness – forever.
For further info please contact Producer Jayne Compton jayne@switchflicker.co.uk
