Guildburys Theatre Company
Guildburys Theatre Company present Blue Stockings at Hatchlands Park, Guildford
LOVE OR KNOWLEDGE – WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE ?
Guildburys are delighted to have been invited to perform ‘Blue Stockings’ at the National Trust’s Hatchlands Park on the outskirts of Guildford, in celebration of Francis Boscawen, wife of Hatchlands first owner, and a founding member of the first Bluestocking Society. The Bluestockings met regularly, hosting salons at each other’s houses including at Hatchlands and we will be revisiting our 2015 production of Jessica Swale’s play in a brand new production, performed in the beautiful music room in the house.
Premiered in 2013 at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, and set during a tumultuous academic year between 1896-97, ‘Blue Stockings’ depicts the battle fought by women to be permitted to graduate from Girton College, Cambridge, where, unlike their male counterparts women are denied a degree.The play follows feisty Tess Moffat and 3 of her fellow students as they join the vanguard of women’s education.
WHAT THE PRESS SAID about Jessica Swale’s play:
‘Cracking… leaves you astonished at the prejudices these educational pioneers had to overcome’ Guardian
‘Brings wit and intelligence to a meaty subject’ Evening Standard
‘Lively and eye-opening’ Independent
‘Thoughtful and provocative… thoroughly researched and grippingly dramatised’ The Stage
‘Touching and entertaining… Swale tells the story with both wit and a hint of righteous indignation’ Telegraph