Laura Pyper: Blackwater Angel

[robgairey]

I just wondered whether anyone else on the board had taken the opportunity to see Laura Pyper’s play Blackwater Angel, which was performed at the Finborough theatre in London earlier this year. It was a deep and very moving new Irish play, set in 1666, about the seventeenth century faith healer Thomas Greatrakes, and his crisis of faith following the arrival of a band of travelling players, and in particular a young woman singer, to his estate. Laura played the part of the Greatrakes’ young servant Lizzie Maher – loyal to the household but in turmoil over the change in Greatrakes, withdrawing into herself whenever Greatrakes appeared. In an excellent second half scene Lizzie gained the courage to confront Greatrakes over the reasons for his lost “powers”, swallowing her nerves to stand up to him and question his actions. Laura really effectively conveyed the nervousness and inner strength of the poor servant, and it was riveting to watch.

The play really managed to draw in the audience, and this was helped by the smallness of the venue – literally a room above a pub, meaning that the performers were really close! Shame that the audience couldn’t be a bit bigger though – there were only about 20 there when I saw it, on the last night.

I took the opportunity also to send a short note to Laura, care of the theatre, about the play and about her performance in Hex – congratulating her on her performance and commiserating about the Hex cancellation. Some weeks later she sent me a lovely note in return, thanking me for my support, and enclosed a signed copy of the theatre programme – which I really appreciated!

I hope it’s not long before Laura has the opportunity to show her talents on stage again – I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on whatsonstage in future!

[orokiah]

I'm deeply jealous...I noticed it was on early in the year, and Laura Pyper plus play by Jim Nolan would have made it a no brainer if it wasn't for the fact it was on in London.

Thanks for the review. Sounds like it was a good night - she got a good write up elsewhere as well, so hopefully she'll be back on stage again soon. Preferably a little further up North though, please Laura.

[louie]

Go Laura
I wonder how she took the cancellation of Hex

[DreamDangerously]

I had no idea she was in that. I'd have probably given it a look if I'd known. I try and watch a lot of theatre...but being there's a lot of theatre in london and only one me I often miss things.

[Fassbender Fan]

I'd have gone if I'd known about it/got tickets.
Pants.

[robgairey]

Sorry you missed it. If I'd known about this board at the time I'd have let everyone know.

It was only by chance that I found out about the play, by doing a search on "Laura Pyper" on google. And, having realised that it was only on for a few weeks, I decided to make the trip from Cardiff.

Next time I'll make sure I put a notice up in advance!

[orokiah]

Laura Pyper's back in theatre...

Cast Announced for Patrick Marber's Don Juan in Soho

Stephen Wight is in the cast too - I'm assuming it's the same guy who played Felix in Hex. EDIT: checked him out and it is. Yay for Hex reunions.

Link for the Donmar

*seriously contemplates trip to London*

[DreamDangerously]

oooh. I will definitely try and get to that.

Hexen outing anyone?

[orokiah]

Laura fans - take a look at this.

It's a 13m short film called 'Tess: A Tale of Love and Darkness', with Laura Pyper playing Tess. I'd heard of it but only seen it at short film festivals before now - I had no idea it was available online. There's also a website for it: www.tess-film.com

It's actually quite good. Just don't read the synopsis to the right of the screen; it does rather spoil the plot.

[elladee]

;)Lovely Laura Pyper!

[robgairey]

Well, back from Laura's new play "Don Juan in Soho" - and another lovely performance - this time as the saintly welfare worker Elvira, tricked into marrying the notorious womaniser played by Rhys Ifans. Sadly a very small role - only two short scenes - one early on as she confronts DJ over his infidelities during their honeymoon, and then another short scene later on when she arrives to reclaim her clothes, only to find that DJ has esconsed two street-walkers in her bed. In the first scene she is particularly excellent though, angry and demoralised over his betrayal, stunned at the realisation that he only married her in order to take her virginity, and yet still euphoric at the recollection of her sexual awakening.

I got the chance to say a quick "hello" to Laura afterwards - congratulating her on the play, and her previous performance in "Blackwater Angel". Laura was charming and friendly, thanking me for coming and happily signing my programme. Just cursing myself really though for not taking a camera - though I'm heading back with my brother and his fiancee to see the play again in early February, so maybe then.

Laura doesn't seem to have anything lined up after "Don Juan in Soho" though, which is a shame.

[aquarius]

Wow, that "Tess" film was pretty cool! I'm glad that I didn't read the description at the side, it would've given too much away.

I had a feeling Laura was doing theater, since they didn't have much on her at IMDB.com after Hex. I didn't imagine she quit acting or anything like that, so I figured she was on stage if not on screen.

I wish she had a website or MySpace/livejournal page or something like a lot of other actors and entertainers do, so all her fans can keep up with what she's doing.

[fenris]

Have just found an on-line review for the production of Don Juan in Soho in which Laura starred. Here's a link;

www.curtainup.com/donjuaninsoho.html

[orokiah]

There's a study guide for Don Juan in Soho available for download here [PDF file] at the Donmar website.

It's an interesting read, plenty of background information and character analysis. There's a picture of Laura Pyper (as Elvira) in there too...

I wish I'd got the chance to see this. But with Marber adapting it into a screenplay at least the story will be hitting the big screen at some point.