Thursday 23rd – Friday 25th September, Theatre Royal Margate
J.M.W. Turner stands on Margate’s harbour wall staring out at the horizon. Increasingly consumed by ambition and resentment he is determined, once and for all, to stamp his name upon the nation’s consciousness. Providing the public don’t find out about his double and triple-lives that is.
One hundred and eighty years later a previously unknown painting by Turner is discovered in a dead woman’s flat. Featuring a scene of Margate bay it quickly becomes regarded as the artist’s great, lost masterpiece. However, when the council seeks to buy it for millions what seemed beautiful on the surface rapidly turns sour.
“Look at this place! Just look at it. Margate was made for people. We just have to change the people.”
Written by associate artistic director, Tim Stimpson, ‘First Impressions’ began life in a short version as part of the ‘Dreamland project in May 2009. Winning the overwhelming majority of the audience vote, it is now being developed into a full-length piece. Taking inspiration from the soon to be opened Turner Contemporary gallery, ‘First Impressions’ looks at the nature of identity and the power of art to transform who we are. Satirical yet romantic; sharp but affectionate, it asks if ‘culture’ really can be imposed on a dilapidated seaside town – a town, which nonetheless, has already inspired some of this country’s greatest art?
First Impressions: First Peek
Friday 30th April, Theatre Royal Margate
From the outset Net Curtains has worked closely with the local community to create a production that is both pertinent and in which the people of Margate can feel involved. This commitment continues with a public reading of the script in development. Schools, outreach groups and theatre goers will be invited to give their feedback, the finding from which will inform the final draft of the play.
For more information contact Margate’s Theatre Royal on: 0845 130 1786 or 01227 787 787