in partnership with The B-Bar
Tom Marshman
Shining Intimacy
For ages 14+
A show about theatre, queer friendships, and grief, through the story of two of Britain’s best loved stage animals, Maggie Smith and Kenneth Williams, both on a journey together to master their craft.
The show explores the actor’s craft and how the pair went about ‘colouring in the words’ throughout their 40 year friendship. Playing with the contract of the ‘performer’ in the public and in private, the show not only includes Kenneth’s and Maggie’s success, but a sensitive portrayal of issues such as depression, OCD, and the loneliness of Kenneth’s one bedroom flat.
Through the use of projections, Tom examines their characters as apparitions within the theatre, and considers his own relationship with the late artist Clare Thornton. Their shining intimacy belongs to a particular moment in history, allowing narrator Tom to reflect on this close friendship of his own, now lost.
Television and radio interviews, newspaper articles, diaries, and memoirs, have created the backbone for this new work by Tom Marshman.
Join us for a post show panel Q&A / discussion with Plymouth's Queer District Collective.
Panelists will include:
Tom Marshman
Rhys Morgan (Take A Part)
Angela Piccini (University of Plymouth)
Chris Penberthy (Deputy Lord Mayor)
The Q&A will run from approx 8:45pm (there will be a short break after Tom's Shining Intimacy performance ends)
You can also watch this panel discussion via livestream on our YouTube Channel here
Pay What You Decide!
This is a Pay What You Decide event which means you choose what the show is worth to you! You can decide what you would like to pay now by adding a ticket with a value to your cart, or you can pay after you have seen the show at Barbican Theatre (cash or card).
Looking around at other events going on in the city, we estimate that 1 ticket to similar events would cost £12.
There is no ‘right’ answer, we are not attempting to lead you to a specific figure. You can pay this suggested amount, less than this or more than this. You can even pay £0 for your ticket.
Reserved Seating
Barbican Theatre is a safe space
Safe to be who you are, regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender, identity, or sexual orientation.
Content warning
The show includes references to depression, mental health and suicide. Age guidance 14+
Covid 19 Safety
The health, safety and comfort of our audiences, colleagues and performers are very important to us.
Before you arrive
We have a number of measures in place to ensure your comfort and safety.
Enhanced hygiene procedures are in place which include thorough cleans between performances and our ReBels training sessions. We have increased the circulation of fresh air throughout the building so it might be cooler than you are used to. You may want to bring an extra layer, just in case. Hand sanitising stations are positioned throughout the public spaces for audience members and ReBels training members to use and we ask that you do so frequently.
We continue to monitor the latest guidance from the UK Government and the team here will continue to wear face coverings in all areas of the theatre.
When you arrive
Whilst we encourage members of the audience to continue to wear a mask we understand that more and more people are making the decision not to so we would like audiences to be aware that people sitting around them may not wear a mask throughout. If you are concerned about this please get in contact with our Audience Experience Manager Robyn who can discus options for seating that will help you feel more safe.
The Barbican team will all wear face coverings / shields (unless medically exempt) and are also regularly lateral flow tested. This includes our practitioners, core team, the team front of house and back stage.
Social Distancing
Barbican Theatre largely programmes one night performances, with a capacity of either 110 or 140. Due to this programming model at present we are unable to offer socially distanced performances. Please get in contact if you would like to discus seating options for any upcoming events and where possible we will find you an area in the auditorium with the most distance for other audience members.
#StaySafe
Venue Info
Barbican Theatre
Castle Street
The Barbican
Plymouth
PL1 2NJ
Situated behind the Mayflower Visitor Centre just off the main Barbican road (opposite the 'Prawn' and Mayflower Steps.
info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
Your Visit FAQs (opens in a new tab) - incudes parking, access and Pay What you Decide ticket info.
Seating
This performance has reserved seating and seats will be selected when you book your tickets. Where possible please don't leave single seats as this makes it more difficult to sell them (and we're a very small theatre so every seat sold makes a difference to any money we make!)
Seats B5, B6, B7 and B8 are accessible seats.
We ask that you only book these seats if you cannot easily access other seating in our auditorium (or are accompanying someone who cannot)
If you have any specific access requirements (for example wheelchair access) please leave details in the comment box when placing your order or email our Audience Experience Manager, Robyn, at info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
About Tom Marshman
Tom's Artistic Vision:
I have been a practicing artist for 21 years, and produced over 60 projects, across many mediums, including - museum audio-tours, theatre & cabaret. Actively encouraging dialogue with participants, through socially engaged processes such as ‘Tea Parties’, allows me evocative glimpses into everyday life, letting me tell engaging, poetic & unpretentious stories. An overarching theme of my work is that of the outsider & their story, particularly regarding the LGBTQ+ experience, stories that been omitted through archival silence.
I actively encourage dialogues with my audiences and participants, aiming to create a safe space to share thoughts and experiences. The results give very evocative and authentic glimpses into the everyday. To date the purpose of my work has been to address issues that are often considered as mundane or commonplace.
I have a particular idiosyncratic, eccentric sensibility, placing myself within the frame allowing me to take clear ownership over the content. With a great attention to detail, I work with a visual aesthetic which mixes minimalism with charity shop kitsch.
My work incorporates a strong visual language employing video projection, stylised movement, sound, and text.
I have shown work in a variety of venues including Bristol Old Vic, Arnolfini (Bristol), Oval House, Chapter Arts Centre, Battersea Arts Centre, Basement Brighton, Colchester Arts Centre Exeter Phoenix and within Festivals including National Review of Live Art, Inbetween Time, National Trust and White Nights
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