Spoonface Steinberg
Encyclopedia
Spoonface Steinberg is a play by British
playwright Lee Hall
, first broadcast as a dramatic monologue on 27 January 1997.
It began life as the fourth and final play in the God's Country series of linked radio dramas broadcast in 1997 on BBC Radio 4
. However, due to its success (it went on to sell thousands of copies on cassette) it has come to overshadow the other plays in the sequence somewhat, and is commonly thought of as a standalone piece.
Spoken by a 7 year old autistic girl who is dying from cancer, the original recording was performed by Becky Simpson
who won two awards for her performance The play was subsequently published as part of the anthology Spoonface Steinberg and Other Plays in October 1997.
On 30 March 1998 the play was rebroadcast, this time on BBC TV
and with images (including that of Ella Jones as Spoonface) added to the original.
A stage version, adapted by Hall himself as well the play's directors Marcello Magni and Annie Castledine
, was first performed in 2000. The play featured Kathryn Hunter
, at the time 42 years of age, in the title role.
The Scottish professional premiere was produced by Nomad at the Tron Theatre in 2002. Kirstin McLean played Spoonface and Mark Westbrook
directed. The play has also been produced by the Nuffield Theatre Southampton, directed by Russ Tunney, starring Julie Rose Smith as Spoonface. Beggars and Kings' production directed by Michael Fentiman was performed at Theatre Clwyd 26th March 2009, starring Zoe Thorne and toured until 30th April 2009.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
playwright Lee Hall
Lee Hall (playwright)
Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
, first broadcast as a dramatic monologue on 27 January 1997.
It began life as the fourth and final play in the God's Country series of linked radio dramas broadcast in 1997 on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
. However, due to its success (it went on to sell thousands of copies on cassette) it has come to overshadow the other plays in the sequence somewhat, and is commonly thought of as a standalone piece.
Spoken by a 7 year old autistic girl who is dying from cancer, the original recording was performed by Becky Simpson
Becky Simpson
Becky Simpson is a Manchester-born actress, writer and musician who now lives in the Calderdale area of West Yorkshire. In 1997, Simpson won the BBC Talkie of the Year award for her role in Spoonface Steinberg.- Personal life :...
who won two awards for her performance The play was subsequently published as part of the anthology Spoonface Steinberg and Other Plays in October 1997.
On 30 March 1998 the play was rebroadcast, this time on BBC TV
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
and with images (including that of Ella Jones as Spoonface) added to the original.
A stage version, adapted by Hall himself as well the play's directors Marcello Magni and Annie Castledine
Annie Castledine
Annie Castledine is a theatre director.Her work has included periods with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Young Vic. She has been Artistic Director at Theatr Clywd, Mold and at the Derby Playhouse ....
, was first performed in 2000. The play featured Kathryn Hunter
Kathryn Hunter
Kathryn Hunter is an award-winning English actress and theatre director.Hunter was born in New York to Greek parents but brought up in the UK...
, at the time 42 years of age, in the title role.
The Scottish professional premiere was produced by Nomad at the Tron Theatre in 2002. Kirstin McLean played Spoonface and Mark Westbrook
Mark Westbrook
Mark Westbrook is a writer, director, and acting coach based in Glasgow, Scotland.-Biography:Mark Westbrook is a writer, director, and acting coach based in Scotland.Mark was born in Leicester in 1976 to mother Margaret and father Raymond...
directed. The play has also been produced by the Nuffield Theatre Southampton, directed by Russ Tunney, starring Julie Rose Smith as Spoonface. Beggars and Kings' production directed by Michael Fentiman was performed at Theatre Clwyd 26th March 2009, starring Zoe Thorne and toured until 30th April 2009.
External links
- Details and reviews of the original theatre staging at Abermarle of London
- The TV adpatation at IMDB
- Mark Westbrook - The first director of Spoonface in Scotland
- http://beckysimpson.com Becky Simpson is now Bass Player - Singer with The Wes PaulWes PaulWester Paul Gerrard is an English guitarist and singer.Wes Paul grew up in Lodge Lane, Liverpool. Between 13 November 2005 and 2 September 2007 he was the stage manager and compère of Sounds of the Sixties Cavern Showcase which ran every Sunday at The Cavern Club, Liverpool...
Band. - http://wespaulband.com