For booking a performance or more information please contact producer Penny Mayes penny@dramatic-solutions.co.uk   or call +44 7790 456169

Past Performances

2023

11 March – Black Country Touring.

Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, Wednesbury.

2021

12 July – Deal Music Arts Festival, Deal.

Ethel Smyth: Grasp the Nettle / Virginia Woolf: an Illustrated Talk with Songs / Virginia Woolf: Killing the Angel

July 12 – 15 Deal Music Arts Festival 2021 “Each festival we have a few things that stand out, this year without doubt, [Ethel Smyth: Grasp the Nettle & Virginia Woolf: Killing the Angel] have made a profound impression.  It is as if we were in the presence of these great ladies.  Elizabeth sensitive accompanying was utterly brilliant, thus heightening the dramatic impact hugely.  An experience that will stay with us for a long time to come … Informing us about the need to champion the music and art of women far more boldly.  Times are changing … Thank you for helping make that change so magnificently.” Paul Max Edlin Artistic Director Deal Music & Arts

2019

North East Arts Touring, Aberdeen.

27 Sept – The Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee.
28 Sept – Hay Memorial Hall, Cornhill.

“A jewel of an event  – wouldn’t have missed it for the world – what a voice, what a performance.” “Quite simply astonishing!”

Cambridge

19 Sept – Stapleford Granary

“Enjoyed it tremendously. Astounded by your vocal range and by your memory! So informative too.”  Sarah Maxwell @drsarahmaxwell

Florence, Italy.

26 May – The Loggia, San Francesco di Paola, Florence.

“Fantastic performance by Lucy and Liz in Grasp the Nettle. 4 curtain calls and a standing ovation. Bravissime.”  Janet Gibson Convenor of the Opera all Party Parliamentary Group

London

23 March Blackheath Halls.

“A spectacular performance. A brilliant conception magnificently presented – fascinating, funny, deeply moving. and full of beautiful music to treasure.” Sarah Walker – mezzo-soprano

The Songs of Ethel Smyth

London School of Economics, Shaw Library, Holborn.
12 March A Recital of Ethel Smyth Songs, Elizabeth Marcus (piano)

“A wonderful performance of Ethel Smyth’s astonishingly complex and subtle songs ~ a privilege to have had a preview of the CD.” Farquhar McKay Director, The Opera Cabaret Company

Dorset

15 February Dorchester Arts Corn Exchange.

“Still thinking about – and humming from Lucy Stevens’ brilliant ‘Grasp the Nettle’. It was moving and funny and so well performed.”  Mary Lester

Isle of Wight

16 February Quay Arts, Newport Harbour.

“A magnificent performance. Your singing and acting, together with your fine accompanist, made for a most illuminating and revealing evening.” Richard Benger

2018

House of Commons, London

30 October Speaker’s House. For The Opera all Party Parliamentary Group

“I found it not only riveting but also very moving. You expressed so eloquently Dame Ethel’s love of life, passion for music and her active role in women’s suffrage…your attention to the text both as an actor and a singer were pitched to perfection.”  Siva Oke Managing Director SOMM Recordings

Milton Court Concert Hall

3 October Silk Street, London

“What a stupendous evening! Just genius writing, brilliant and refreshing, this vivid portrait of someone so unburdened by the conventions of her time…your voice is a powerful and beautiful instrument brilliantly played! We want to see it all over again!” Ruth Crow

The St Marylebone Festival

26 July St Marylebone Church, 17 Marylebone Rd, London

“Reading about Ethel Smyth recently and seeing the amazing performance of Lucy Stevens at Marylebone Festival (in Grasp the Nettle) I am left with the distinct impression that I was in the presence of Smyth herself. Brava.” Janet Gibson Convenor of the Opera all Party Parliamentary Group

Cambridge

16 July Cambridge Federation of Women’s Institutes

“An amazing day – just bowled over by ‘Grasp the Nettle’ performance!” Hilary Haworth

Hitchin Festival

Saturday 7 July 7.30pm Woodside Hall, Hitchin

“Fabulous evening. Very entertaining & informative. So nice to hear contralto singing.” Patricia clegg

London School of Economics

4 July LSE Shaw Library, Old Building, Holborn

“Absolutely superb performance by Lucy Stevens of Ethel Smyth’s life & work for LSE Library.” Dr Debbie Challis

English Music Festival

28 May Silk Hall, Radley College, Oxfordshire

“Can’t recommend Lucy Stevens play with music about Ethel Smyth highly enough. Superb acting and vocal performances and some exceptional navigation of fiendish piano reductions by Elisabeth Marcus. Funny, touching and uplifting- A must see!” Light Music Society

Sandstone Ridge Festival 20 May Tattenhall, Chester

“Thoroughly recommend this entertaining moving and compelling show. Told in the composer’s words and brilliantly constructed and performed.”  Martin Bussey Conductor/Composer

Northumberland – Highlights Tour

Thursday 26 April St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope

Saturday 28 April The Cheviot Centre, Wooler

Sunday 29 April Lesbury Village Hall

“absolutely amazing, so inspirational- thank you so much …so lucky to be able to experience exceptional shows in a friendly, intimate atmosphere in such beautiful locations. A truly magical theatre experience.” Audience member

Cumbria – Arts Out West Tour

Friday 20 April Ireby

Saturday 21 April Gosforth

Friday 27 April Wreay Village Hall

“…inspired performance, captures Ethel with such a compelling mix of humour, strident determination – and integrity, intensity, vision – of a soul shot through with subtle affection. It made for a brilliantly varied evening and we loved it. The music was a revelation, large enough for a vast space and then suddenly intimate, and unexpectedly lyrical, rendered so beautifully.” Rosemary Pavey

Tunbridge Wells

18 April The Forum.

“Fantastic evening, wonderful musical range and riveting account of Ethel Smyth’s life as well as her contribution to the women’s suffrage campaigns…unforgettable.” Mary Carol Wilson

Woking

11 March Rhoda McGaw Theatre

“Grasp the Nettle was truly wonderful, dramatic, skillful, accomplished and overall simply rather brilliant. Thank you for opening my eyes to the talent and life of Ethel Smyth… an incredibly virtuosic, dynamic and engaging performance.” Dr. Amy Bebbington

Hemel Hempstead

3 March The Old Town Hall.  “A tremendously thought provoking and moving show.  Lucy’s performance; such brilliant acting and her beautiful voice!” Audience member.

Cambridge

15 February Rayner Centre

“Another absolute triumph!  Your combined musical skills are tremendous.  Last night you gave us an extraordinary insight into the life and music of a truly remarkable woman.  It was magical, moving and totally engrossing.”  Nick Barnes Chairman & Programme Secretary, The Arts Society, South Cambs

Cornwall Tour

8 February Sterts Studio, Liskeard

9 February The Acorn, Penzance

10 February The Poly, Falmouth

“…a very powerful performance, fascinating character portrayed, and also the sensitive and skilled piano accompaniment.” Acorn Theatre Trustee

1 February Redbridge Drama Centre, London.

“We were enraptured by the show. What a brilliant new play. What an outstanding actress!  I felt like I had met Ethel.  I would love to see it all again.”