Lou Beckett

It’s 2016 and two young lovers—she’s a literary journalist who fancies herself a detective and he’s a Shakespeare scholar—clash in a witty, comedic battle over the Bard’s authorship. This light-hearted story invites audiences to ponder an enduring literary mystery while enjoying a story that blends passion for the written word with a spirited debate.

When writing my play about two young women wanting to build a statue to an accomplished woman in Cheltenham, I thought it would be helpful to speak to a member of Cheltenham City Council. By sheer good luck, I phoned Flo Clucas. Flo has a distinguished background, having served as Councillor and Deputy Leader on Liverpool City Council before arriving in Cheltenham. While there, she played a key role in having a statue built to Kitty Wilkinson, often called the 'Saint of the Slums' in Liverpool. 

 

In the interview, she proposes her candidate for a Cheltenham statue, Josephine Butler, and advises what steps could be taken to get a statue built. 

Two students notice Cheltenham's only statues of women are the tightly-clad, delectable young females set along shop fronts in Montpellier. Surely, they think, Cheltenham is ready for a statue honouring an important local woman. Or is it? They are about to find out.

 

The audio play is 25 minutes long.

 

We Can't Be was produced by Parrot Productions, written and directed by Lou Beckett. Astra was played by Stephanie Louise, Pen by Ari Anindita, the Council Chair by Philip Douch. Sound was by Paul Hamblin, Cam Shand, and the Boom sound team led by Lee Walpole. Music was composed by Jim Barne. Parrot Productions are grateful to the Cheltenham Arts Council for their generous support.

 

Please send any comments or feedback you have to loubeckett77@gmail.com.

An interview with Michael Haas, discussing the radio play Forbidden Music.

 

Based on a true story, Forbidden Music is a short radio play about an idealistic young man in the late 1980s who wants Decca Records to record the music forbidden by the Nazis. His boss says he will support his case, but for a price. 

 

The play is based on the book Forbidden Music written by Michael Haas and published by Yale University Press.

Based on a true story, Forbidden Music is a short radio play about an idealistic young man in the late 1980s who wants Decca Records to record the music forbidden by the Nazis. His boss says he will support his case, but for a price. 

 

The play is based on the book Forbidden Music written by Michael Haas and published by Yale University Press.