Photographs by Ian Tilton
A madcap comedy set in a Lakeland pub, with a love story, a ghost, original songs and a good-humoured sideswipe at the pressure on women to conform to a physical ideal.
Beth Morrison is a jobbing actress, frustrated with the restrictions her size puts on her casting opportunities.Her dad Bill’s pub/restaurant is going to the wall, despite the fact that he’s an amateur chef of enthusiastic genius.In desperation, he spins tales of the pub’s links with all the Lakeland poets and artists. Calum Baxter, a repressed Edinburgh Scot and the director of a local outdoor Shakespeare production, stays at the hotel, lured by Bill’s claims that the poet Shelley haunts it, and romance blossoms, but the path to true love does not run smoothly! There are broken hearts, broken limbs, songs, storms and seductions before we are finally served the obligatory happy ending.
Unashamedly theatrical, funny and warm-hearted with a broad appeal NO FAT JULIETS is a big romantic comedy for people of all sizes!
A co-production between The Dukes, Lancaster, The Oldham Coliseum and LadyBrain : Autumn 2013
Reviews
Whats On Stage - 5*
"No Fat Juliets is a great show - unusual, spicy and sweet.
It easily surpasses its billing as a "comic love story … packed with new songs, snogs and bags of Northern spirit".
There is some fine writing and characterisation in this piece, and the narrative is wacky, persuasive and a delicious treat. The garnish of suitably catchy original music by John Newman-Holden, was very tasty – I particularly liked Fat Girl Blues. "
Lancashire Evening Post
"No Fat Juliets is not a musical, but is a play with songs, and there are quite a few numbers along the way. Standout being Fat Girl Blues, big in staging, subject matter and power. The cast can belt them out with gusto. Laughs, songs,pathos, romance and a little sauciness.This could make a future classic comedy."
Manchester Theatre Awards
" This is a play with a big character at the centre and an equally big heart. Writer Sue McCormick as Beth wins the audience over to become a believable romantic heroine. In all, it's a feel-good comedy with a serious message about acceptance and enjoying life - something we could all do with heeding. "
Some Favourite Audience Comments
"What a superb show, funny, intelligent & entertaining."
"Great Show last night. A Fun, funny, fantastic show and even the odd tear. Brilliant."
" The whole audience loved the drama, the music, you, the whole cast and the truth told in technicolour."
"Wise, lovable and warm as toast."
"Congratulations. It was great to see the audience guffawing and clapping - a thoroughly enjoyable night's entertainment"
"You rock! Just saying…all the performances were brilliant tonight, so much so that I gave a standing ovation before you were even finished! Thanks for a fabulous & thoughtful evening - full of fun with a message!"
Whats On Stage - 5*
"No Fat Juliets is a great show - unusual, spicy and sweet.
It easily surpasses its billing as a "comic love story … packed with new songs, snogs and bags of Northern spirit".
There is some fine writing and characterisation in this piece, and the narrative is wacky, persuasive and a delicious treat. The garnish of suitably catchy original music by John Newman-Holden, was very tasty – I particularly liked Fat Girl Blues. "
Lancashire Evening Post
"No Fat Juliets is not a musical, but is a play with songs, and there are quite a few numbers along the way. Standout being Fat Girl Blues, big in staging, subject matter and power. The cast can belt them out with gusto. Laughs, songs,pathos, romance and a little sauciness.This could make a future classic comedy."
Manchester Theatre Awards
" This is a play with a big character at the centre and an equally big heart. Writer Sue McCormick as Beth wins the audience over to become a believable romantic heroine. In all, it's a feel-good comedy with a serious message about acceptance and enjoying life - something we could all do with heeding. "
Some Favourite Audience Comments
"What a superb show, funny, intelligent & entertaining."
"Great Show last night. A Fun, funny, fantastic show and even the odd tear. Brilliant."
" The whole audience loved the drama, the music, you, the whole cast and the truth told in technicolour."
"Wise, lovable and warm as toast."
"Congratulations. It was great to see the audience guffawing and clapping - a thoroughly enjoyable night's entertainment"
"You rock! Just saying…all the performances were brilliant tonight, so much so that I gave a standing ovation before you were even finished! Thanks for a fabulous & thoughtful evening - full of fun with a message!"
