Plymouth's former Laureate returns to Devon with new show
Laura Horton continues to work locally to inspire Primary school aged children
Plymouth’s former laureate Laura Horton - says she wants to inspire youngsters - as she returns to Devon tonight with her new show.
Called ‘Lynn Faces’ it explores the impacts of abuse and opens in Exeter later, before Plymouth tomorrow.
The award-winning writer still works with Devon primary schools to open-up access to the arts and is a patron of Millfied’s Inspired, on Union Street in Plymouth.
She said: “They are amazing, working with primary aged children trying to inspire saying ‘what do you want to do with your life, what could you do, what pathways are there for you' – and I continue to do work with primary schools across the board as I just think that’s so important."
Ms Horton is a multi-award-winning writer and Plymouth Laureate of Words 2021-23, the first woman and playwright in the role.
Her debut play Labyrinth Diet was an OFFCOMM winner in 2021. Her follow-up Breathless was awarded the Pleasance Regional Partnership. It won a Fringe First, was a finalist for the Popcorn Award
She hopes her artistic journey can inspire others, adding: “I grew up in Plymouth and I moved back – from Cardiff and London – and I was told I would ruin my career if I left London and that didn’t happen – in fact it made my career.”
What is her latest show about?
Lynn Faces is an award-winning chaotic punk band response to coercive control. Leah is emerging from a deeply toxic breakup, nearing 40, and in need of a seismic change. What is one meant to do - drink a bottle of wine and form a punk band inspired by a fictional cardigan-wearing PA? Well, yes. Naturally. This tragicomic, insightful, and poignant exploration of the long-term impacts of abusive relationships takes us along to this punk band's one and only gig in a tiny basement bar. Frontwoman Leah channels her long-term identification with the put-upon Lynn Benfield, Alan Partridge's assistant, to form the emotional core of the punk band at the centre of this hopeful piece, showing that recovery from her toxic dynamic is possible - with a little help from your friends. This lightly chaotic but touching show takes us on a journey through the stages of healing and acceptance, via a whole lot of rage. Sticking two fingers up at her abusive ex-partner, Leah draws on the inner strength of Lynn - as well as her iconic faces, her stoicism, and her snazzy cardigans - to find her own power, humour, and liberation.
Lynn Faces is co-commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, Norwich Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth, and written by Laura Horton. It was one of 16 works selected for the inaugural Summerhall Surgeries programme in 2023 – a artist development initiative by Summerhall in partnership with the Fringe Society, showcasing innovative work by early-career artists.
Speaking about the production, Laura Horton said: “I’m delighted to be touring Lynn Faces. I’ve put so much of myself into this production, from the seed of a small, weird idea to this production, with the most wonderful creative team. Finding hope in the face of adversity, feels like a prescient theme.”