What is The War of the Waleses?
"War of the Waleses" is a brilliant satire of 1990s politics and culture told in the style of a Shakespearean history. Sonnets and iambs are set against contemporary music for a warm, witty and acerbic take on 90s pomp, press and politics.
It was first performed in the Giant Olive Theatre in Kentish Town in April 2012 to sell-out audiences with people scrambling for returns in the bar each night. The show then went on to perform at Questors Theatre, The Dell at Stratford-upon-Avon and culminated in a sell-out run at Camden Fringe.
We are performing the show for a run of 19 performances at the Edinburgh and Camden Fringes this summer.
Synopsis
In 1992, John Major fights and wins an election that it was assumed would be won by Labour.
To this day, the influence of the press during the campaign and the role it played in securing Major's victory is hotly debated. Andrew Morton's "Diana: Her True Story" is published, bringing derision and suspicion upon The House of Windsor. The publication of the Squidgygate tapes, Sarah Ferguson's toe-sucking scandal and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle culminate in the Queen announcing that it has been her Annus Horribilis. The Prince and Princess of Wales announce their separation in December, and the media furore that ensues drives Diana into exile and The Prince of Wales to a public confession of his adultery. The play also follows the rise of Blair and fall of "Back to Basics" Major beleaguered by his party's disloyalty and sleaze.
Why we need your backing
I believe so passionately in the show, my fellow writers and original cast that I have formed my own theatre company to take the show to Edinburgh and Camden Fringe in 2013. The venue costs are all financed and actors have to agree to cover their expenses, so the show will go on somehow, but I am looking for funding for essential overheads like props and costumes, rehearsal space hire, marketing & publicity, PRS fees and insurance.
The future of Asterion Theatre
The money from this crowdfunder will not be accounted with the show's profits (should there be any) - and will not go towards paying the actors' expenses. The intention is - if the show doesn't lose thousands of pounds - that it should be used to fund future productions by the company to ensure that Asterion Theatre has the cash flow to continue for its next show, "Snowflakes" in December 2013.
Your donation will give us access to much needed resources, a contingency budget and would support the creation of a new company producing exciting new writing, a dream I've had since I was a teenager.
Thank you