” Something of a gothic tour-de-force” ***

“With Connolly`s inimitable stage prescence complemented by  good performances from Susie Riddell, Laurence Saunders and Heather Pilkington, and neat staging under Terina Talbot`s direction, it should be a good ambassador for Birmingham theatre “

Terry Grimley, Birmingham Post 27 sept 2008

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“The Bad One will have your brain ticking long after the paid performance; a sure sign that this production has real legs “.     ****

Star Bendick  – What’s on Stage Midlands  Sept 28 2008

Check out the full review here

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Are  we sitting comfortably ?

“Pants and naked bottoms have their place but I felt a little short changed by having my expectations raised by some delightful and witty humour in the first few minutes, to be disapointed as it slipped all too easily to excessive coarse humaour.

The rest of the audience, on the other hand , only roared louder and louder with each successive joke “

 Ben Whitehouse
ReviewsGate.com
Posted by Rod Dungate, Sept 29th 2008

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Two Sides To The Story

“This may be a piece of mysterious whimsy, but it is rooted in the real world , with plenty of insight into how the two sides of the brain work together and the nature of duality ”

David Baldwin, Previewing the show in Metro Life  Sept 25th 2008
www.metro.co.uk

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Dark and sinister and deliciously funny

“A glorious resolution which is both moving and symbolic in equal measure”

“This is a play with a serious edge packaged with great humour and panache… Like a strong cup of tea with five sugars, The Bad One goes down a treat!”

Nice review there from Kevin Quarmby Take a look at the full review on his website. The question is, is Laurence really that sleazy? We’re not so sure!
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I have just returned from Edinburgh where I have been performing in Office Party (Underbelly & Assembly productions) which started life at The Barbican last Christmas. The production was a great Festival success getting several 5 star reviews and interest from Chicago, Montreal, New York to name but a few! I have ended up with some kind of upper respiratory infection akin to kennel cough – anyone who has done a whole month of the Edinburgh festival will know what I mean!

It’s great to return to the bosom of W&T and we are all raring to go with The Bad One. We have worked really hard in developing the script and, in our 25th year, it feels right to be working on what promises to be a land mark company production. Can I also thank everyone who supported the Comedy Fun(d) raiser at The Glee Club. It was a great big resounding success helping to raise money for the company whilst being a brilliant night for all. With the company turning its sights to International work with Women and War, I see no reason why the next quarter of a century should not find our business cards saying ‘Women & Theatre, Birmingham, Europe, The World, The Universe’ (knocks spots off Chicago, Montreal & New York!).

Love Janice x

Don’t miss your chance to see Women & Theatre on tour this Autumn with The Bad One, a darkly humorous fairytale inspired by Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Written by and starring Janice Connolly (Edinburgh hit comedian Mrs Barbara Nice, Holy Mary in Channel 4’s Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights), and featuring Susie Riddell (Oddsocks), Heather Pilkington (Lick & Chew) and Laurence Saunders (Vivienne Vile).

Thurs 25th – Sat 27th Sept at 7.45pm (matinee on 27th at 2.45pm)
The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EP
0121 236 4455 or book online

Tues 30th Sept at 7.30pm
Layard Theatre , Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AD
01202 847 525

Wed 1st Oct at 7.30pm
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
01484 430 528 or book online

Thurs 2nd Oct at 7.30pm
The Capitol Studio, North St, Horsham, W Sussex RH12 1RG
01403 750 220 or book online

Wed 8th Oct at 7.30pm
Arena Theatre, Wulfruna St, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE
01902 321 321

Sat 11th Oct at 7.30pm
Brewery Arts Centre, Highate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4HE
01539 725 133

Thurs 16th Oct at 7.30pm
Maltings Arts Centre, The Maltings, St Albans, Herts AL1 3HL
01727 844 222

Wed 22nd Oct at 7.30pm
Norden Farm Arts Centre, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF
01628 788 997 or book online

Fri 24th Oct at 7.30pm
Rotherham Arts Centre, Walker Place, Rotherham, S Yorks S65 1JH
01709 823 621

Wed 29th Oct- Fri 31st Oct at 7.30pm
TARA Studio, 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES
020 8333 4457 or book online

6th Nov at 8pm
The Rondo Theatre, St Saviours Rd, Larkhill, Bath BA1 6RT
01225 463 362 or book online

7th Nov at 8pm
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ
0870 787 5790 or book online

Sat 8th Nov at 7.30pm
Helmsley Arts Centre, The Old Meeting House, Helmsley, York YO62 5DW
01439 771 700 or book online

This year’s tour has been made possible with the kind support of Arts Council, England, REALiSE, Sir Barry Jackson Trust, The Grimmitt Trust, The Rowlands Trust and The Bryant Trust.

Hiya

Just a reminder about our rehearsed reading of The Bad One on Friday. It would be great to get as many people there as possible. We’re hoping to get some really lively debates going around some of the key themes of the play and we’re particularly interested in looking at our left and right brains. For your reference,

• right brain uses feeling, imagination, and belief,

• and left brain forms strategies, is good at words and language, and is reality based.

Are you left or right brain dominant? Are you a Heidi or a Jackie?

Look forward to seeing you all, just drop us a line to let us know you’re coming

Janice

Women & Theatre Celebrating 25 Years

The Bad One
Rehearsed Reading, Friday 27th June, 2-4pm or 6.30-8.30pm

Autumn 2008 marks Women & Theatre’s 25th Anniversary.
Artistic Director Janice Connolly welcomes you to join us to help support our celebratory preparations.

You are warmly invited to Birmingham REP for an exclusive preview of Women & Theatre’s upcoming production, The Bad One. Members of the cast will perform a rehearsed reading of extracts from this darkly humorous fairytale. After the performance please do join us for a relaxed and friendly discussion about the play and its themes. This is your chance to contribute to the continuing development of the show up to its opening at the REP on 25th September. Drinks & nibbles provided

For more information on the production, please visit The Bad One.