“Not all Muslims are terrorists!” rebuked Millie
“But all these terrorists are Muslims!” replied Franchesca

TO CLOSE TO HOME???

In a climate where there are many questions, concerns and fears, DENIED explores the timely conversation regarding the threat of fundamentalist Islam here in the UK. Powerful drama, gripping and shocking, it has an important significance in a crucial time.

Franchesca addresses the audience: “In all my study, in all my reasoning, all my interviews and reporting, the answer that I have found lies at the end of the biggest question of all…will that same power that denied freedom to all those women in Balochistan, that denied life to those 52 victims during the London transport attacks in 2005, the same power that continues to deny thousands all across our world, now deny me the right - here in the United Kingdom - to put on this play, and deny you the right to watch it?”

HISTORY
The read-through of DENIED took place at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London on 29th September 2006.  It was supported by the Theatre Royal Haymarket’s Masterclass programme
http://www.trh.co.uk/masterclass/Denied_playreading.asp

Feedback from the read-through was very positive:

“Very ambitious story and form and this is commendable! A committed engagement with the worlds most salient problem – obviously a lot of research has been put to good use…you have a very promising future work for an extremely relevant story here and I wish you all the best for the future development of it. The ending, moving into a consideration of how oppression comes to influence plays themselves is potentially an extremely powerful event for the London stage and I look forward to it all seeing daylight! Good luck”

“I really enjoyed the story and the messages in it. I thought the ending was very strong. An excellent twist and a really scary experience when the auditorium was invaded.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the play from start to finish and felt it captivated you totally…I wish Jodi every success with this play and hope to see it in the future as a great success”

“I loved the contradictions and extremes of two women in the situation they found themselves in….powerful stuff, gritty, real life and bare to the bones. We don’t realise the truth until it really hits us personally, our freedom we take for granted, I love to learn about all people’s beliefs, I want to know more – too little knowledge is dangerous in anyone’s hands!!”

“Interesting and ambitious to look at the parallel lives of these two women”

“Beautiful contrast of imagery and how different life can be on the opposite sides of the world….very moving, shocking, enlightening and thought provoking…Well Done!”

“Very powerful experience – I felt I was watching something I shouldn’t for some reason. I could really identify with how much the media repress the horrific side of Islam, and definitely feel the over PC stance suppresses a lot…the end was fantastic…edgy and difficult to swallow but very interesting”

“very much enjoyed the reading. Found the stories / words of the two lead characters very interesting and moving (well done to the 2 actresses for very strong performances too…overall a brilliantly thought out and executed piece of writing – good luck”

“Powerful and disturbing…I was moved by the play and the issues that it raised”

“although I don’t really agree with the message I think the piece is thought provoking and very well structured – it is both touching and engaging. Well done”

“Has great potential”

“Very well done on your brave work….lead girls were fantastic also…a great achievement”