EMMERSON & WARD, JOSIE WHITE & TEAM AGELICA PRESENT
ROTTEN by Josie White
Hitchcock meets Lord of the Flies in this exciting new comedy-thriller by emerging writer Josie White and Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair.
Three young, regional actresses: Saoirse, Coco, and Sonia are struggling to survive in London. Their shared dream is dwindling away quicker than their bank balances. But who needs electricity? Or Netflix? Every night, through their grotty living room window, the antiheroes have a front-row seat to observe the life of Instagram ‘celebrity’ Iris Montague-Willis.
When the girls spot the newly engaged Iris in a compromising position with a woman, they decide to film it and are later persuaded by Sonia’s on-again-off-again, drug dealer boyfriend Ross to blackmail Iris. But their scheming soon spirals into complete anarchy. Betrayals, double-crossings love triangles, twists and turns, it’s every person for themselves!
ROTTEN explores themes that are poignant to the lives of young people: the cost of living, capitalism, mental health, and social media. It shines a light on the economic and social crisis that is happening in Britain today, with sharp observation and biting wit. The play builds on certain tropes you’ve seen before in classic thrillers, before twisting and turning them in directions you won’t see coming. Supported by Arts Council England Project Grants
2024 Tour
Curve, Leicester - 22nd & 23rd March
Derby Theatre - 6th April
Norwich Theatre Royal - 20th April
Stephen Joseph Studio, Scarborough - 23rd April
Harrogate Theatre - 9th May
Dukes Lancaster - 15th & 16th May
Nottingham Playhouse - May 23rd
Creative Team
Writer Josie White (she/her)
Director Rikki Beadle-Blair (he/him)
Producer Rob Ward (he/him)
Assistant Producer Tabitha Rose Hughes (she/her)
Cast
Nicole Taggart (she/her)
Narisha Lawson (she/her)
Kavita Vyas (she/her)
Alice Barry (she/her)
Sam Butter (he/him)
Rapid Response Scheme
Calling all writers! This is your chance to have your work performed on the stage at Derby Theatre & Curve. As part of our upcoming production of ROTTEN, we are running a Rapid Response initiative for five writers to create short pieces responding to the themes of the play.
More information on the Rapid Response Scheme here.
Director Shadow Scheme
As part of the rehearsal process for ROTTEN, we looking for an East Midlands based, emerging creative to come into our rehearsal room for a day and shadow Director RIKKI BEADLE-BLAIR MBE. We want to inspire the individual involved in this scheme to use their own unique voice and equip them with the skills to create their own projects.
More information on the Director Shadow Scheme here.