Last Thursday I was privileged to be part of a platform discussion at Hull Truck Theatre, discussing ‘Shelagh Delaney: Where are you now?’ which, by extension, examined where women’s voices are in theatre today.

It was a great experience to be on the panel and to discuss this facinating topic. It was also great to meet my fellow panel members. It was the first time I had met Tessa Walker, Associate Director at Birmingham Rep, and it was wonderful to listen to her obvious passion for, and understanding of, theatre.

Amanda Whittington’s passion for Shelagh Delaney was inspiring, she sites it as the reason she started to write plays and how, even now, she is still touched and inspired by Delaney’s work.

Prior to the panel, I saw the matinee show of Delaney’s A Taste of Honey which she wrote at the age of just 18. The play is running at Hull Truck until the 17th April and Director Mark Babych’s interpretation is very sensitive, bringing out the underlying currents of vulnerability in both the main characters so when they display strength and determination it is impressive as it is from a point of vulnerability.

All in all, not a bad Thursday!

Feel free to watch the video and I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

The panel was, from left to right, playwright Amanda Whittington, Hull Truck Artistic Director Mark Babych, Birmingham Rep Associate Director Tessa Walker and me!

The topic was ‘Shelagh Delaney: Where are you now?’