FISHCAT
WRITTEN BY ELAN BUTLER
“So funny, youthful and dynamic. Themes of class, misogyny/masculinity, coming of age and anger come through powerfully. It really is brilliant.”
Ben Weatherill (Jellyfish - The National Theatre, Chicken Dust - The Leicester Curve)
FISHCAT
‘I feel this nauseousness inside of me, as if something bad is gonna happen. As if something bad has already happened.’
This city is desperate for people to birth, live and die here, Sarah's fighting against that. She CANNOT be like her mum, passing every childhood friend in the aisle of TK Maxx. FISHCAT follows fourteen year-old Sarah as she searches for her future in a daunting, internet infested world, attempting to take on teenage-hood, her dad, and the coolest boy that ever walked the Earth...Gary. A tragi-comic, fast-paced, coming of age tale on the perils of growing-up in an unforgivingly lonely world.
With a strong female narrative and an original music score, FISHCAT is centred around the challenges teenagers face in their fight to be heard and recognised. Highlighting what young adults are unconsciously capable of, whilst revealing the uncertainties of their futures. Tackling issues such as; loneliness, fractured relationships, parenthood and bullying, as well as illuminating the power of our imagination, hope and persistence for change.
FISHCAT has enjoyed sell-out runs at The Hope Theatre in September 2021, and has appeared at Worcester Theatres (February 2022) and Warwick Arts Centre (April 2022).
Organisations who have supported its development include; Act II Festival, NDT Broadgate and Old China Plate Theatre.
CAST
Sarah Anna Bradley
Reg William Bennett
Gary Elan Butler
CREATIVE
TEAM
Writer Elan Butler
Producer Julia Bentley
Tech/Design Jasmine Kint
Anna Bradley as Sarah in FISHCAT September 2021 at The Hope Theatre Image description: 1) A girl sits with a puzzled expression. Behind her we see a boys legs in shorts and knee high socks. Photography by Tristan Sayers
William Bennett (as Reg), Elan Butler (as Gary) and Julia Bentley (as Sarah) in rehearsal for FISHCAT at Warwick Arts Centre April 2022 Image Description: 1) A rehearsal shot of a man looking to the floor in between two puppeteers. The male and female puppeteers hold a black jacket open behind his head. Photography by Tristan Sayers
Anna Bradley as Sarah in FISHCAT September 2021 at The Hope Theatre Image description: 1) A woman in school uniform, stands with one hand on her hip and the other hand touching her hair. Photography by Tristan Sayers
Anna Bradley as Sarah in FISHCAT September 2021 at The Hope Theatre Image description: 1) A girl sits with a puzzled expression. Behind her we see a boys legs in shorts and knee high socks. Photography by Tristan Sayers