JEZEBEL THE JUSTIFIED
by Jonathon Morgan
Featuring Natasha Gant
Jezebel the Justified was written as a response to the increasingly prevalent paradox that exists in Western society. The more theoretical freedoms we win, the more we cling to artificial rules of societal convention.
I chose to create the piece as a one-woman show, because I feel that these imaginary regulations are imposed more overtly and forcibly on women than they are men. It is most readily apparent in our pop culture. From Brittany Spears parading herself as little more than a sex toy to an instructional handbook for women entitled The Rules; a book which not only encourages young women to alter their behaviour during incredibly false attempts at 'winning' a man, but also hinges on and promotes the theory that the only path to happiness for any woman is straight into the arms of a providing male. I wanted to tell the story of a woman at the end of this dangerous road, who is forced to challenge these arbitrary and often unhealthy mandates, and in doing so realises that breaking these rules holds no consequences save a liberation never previously imagined.
Natasha Gant is an incredibly accomplished actress graduating in this summer from the Liverpool Institute for performing arts. Previous to JEZEBEL she was Anne in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and Stella in WHALE MUSIC (directed by Maggie Ford). Natasha is also a songwriter and has established herself in Liverpool over the last year, performing throughout the city, including the world famous Cavern Club.
POWDER MY NOSE
When we look around, we find that young people everywhere are escaping their realities: powdering their noses. Whether they become obsessive about their physical or social appearance, constantly ally themselves with various partners, or do indeed turn to drugs, youth seems to forever be defending themselves against the onslaught from a shrouded danger.
Unfortunately, the danger does not recognize itself as an evil, or even as a threat. In fact, quite the opposite, this danger regards itself as essential in creating well-adjusted adults from, 'lost, misguided youths'. Therein lies the inherent flaw in the way our society views child-rearing through both the home and our education system.
Through Powder My Nose, I hope to illuminate and accentuate this flaw, while making the piece accessible to young people "those this plague most effects" by incorporating hip-hop/r&b music and dance into the presentation of the story. If the piece is entertaining, it will be understood. If the piece is understood, we can recognize these flaws in our system, and hope to avoid them. If we avoid these flaws, we can avoid such horrible events, such as high school shootings, which have been so prevalent in the United States during the past two years.
|
TONES
A play about relationships, but more a play about guilt, and the anxiety over a life spent making the safe choice, "Tones" played to sell-out audiences at THE CASA in Liverpool.
The piece was accompanied by the dark docile tones of Jack Chesire, who performed his songs live as part of the plot and performance.
What do you regret about your life? Why do you stay in relationships that confine you? Because they define who you are. They put parameters on your life that suddenly, you can't live without. "Tones" worked towards shattering lose illusions.
|
