Kate Marlow – dubbed ‘the scariest woman in showbusiness’ by TV mogul Simon Cowell – will be premiering her anti-austerity play at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival this weekend.
Ms. Marlow, known for her sharp-tongued, no-nonsense attitude as a former TV performance coach and personality on shows such as Big Brother and the X Factor, promises not to disappoint with her new and unapologetically scathing black comedy Knock Knock.
However, despite her nickname ‘Scary Kate Marlow’, this play, inspired by seeing first-hand the effects of austerity in her community, shows her softer side.
Knock Knock follows an unemployed single mother Jo, who, struggling to feed her children and hounded by the bailiff, decides to make a terrifying decision to fight back.
Ms. Marlow’s curtness, therefore, is perhaps driven by passion and care.
Ms. Marlow said: “I see ordinary people fighting back, losing the fear, finding their voice. 250,000 people took part in the recent People’s Assembly Against Austerity march in London. There’s a growing movement of people coming together to resist, to campaign.”
Her play echoes this revolutionary feel, and reflects Ms. Marlow’s lasting passion for theatre.
Ms. Marlow added: “In writing the play I feel like Peter Finch’s character Howard Beale from the film ‘Network’ when he encourages people to go to their window and shout out, “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take this anymore!”
The play will feature an impressively skilled cast, including Amy Forrest, Clay Witter, Shaun McGowan and Janet Thompson.
All profits from the play will be donated to Coffee 4 Craig, which supports homeless people in Manchester & South Wales and run street kitchens.
The play will be performed five times at The Kings Arms Theatre in Salford this month at the following times: Saturday 11, 3pm; Monday 13, 7.30pm; Tuesday 14, 7.30pm; Saturday 18, 3pm; Sat 25 3pm.
Tickets are £9 (£7.50 for concessions) and can be purchased by clicking here.
Image courtesy of the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival with thanks.
