Sophie Woolley

I learned loads whilst working with Told by an Idiot’s Paul Hunter and Stephen Harper. And from the other eleven actors in the ensemble too. There were extra sessions with Lisa Hammond, Wardrobe Ensemble, Little Soldier and Rachel Bagshaw. I discovered I like playing with half masks. A lot.

We did three improvised Let Me Play the Lion Too performances at The Barbican, along with a panel discussion, due to be broadcast by Sky Arts next March, in a short film presented by Sally Philips.

Every day was fun, exciting, risky and inspiring.

More photos and information about the project here. 

I’m speaking at the launch of Magma 69 at London Review Bookshop on 17 November. You can book tickets online. I will be talking about The Fake Interpreter. 

I recently won the silver award for my short story, Angel Underground, at the Creative Future Literary Awards. The story is published in the anthology, Important Nothings.

I’m developing a new one-person show (the title keeps changing, but at the moment it is AUGMENTED). Here I am performing at Battersea Arts Centre’s scratch night (thanks to DH Ensemble for programming me at this showcase).

I’m doing another scratch at ARC’s ARCADE this week.

I will also be reading at Priority Seat Cabaret at Gerry’s in Stratford on 14 November.

 

I’m reading at the Yurt Cafe in Limehouse on Tuesday 17th October 6.30pm-9.30pm. Free tickets available here.

I’m performing at a scratch night at Battersea Arts Centre on 6 October. Book early to avoid disappointment.

 

 

I’ve won a Creative Future Literary Award for a short story.

There will be an anthology and showcase. Here’s the info:

“This year, the top twelve finalists for the 2017 Creative Future Literary Awards will read their work alongside international best-selling author Kit de Waal, and poet & playwright, Sabrina Mahfouz.

This year’s Showcase will be held at the Studio Theatre at the iconic Library of Birmingham, as part of the Birmingham Literature Festival on 11th October 2017.

This is a FREE event open to the public from 7pm. The event is BSL interpreted and the venue is accessible to wheelchair users.

Tickets can be reserved via the form below, here, or by phone on 01273 234 780.”

I’m performing a monologue this Monday 19 June, at the Poplar Union.

Scratch, Crackle & POP! showcases the work of writers, performers and poets in the early stages of development, giving audiences a taste of upcoming and developing shows.

7pm- 10pm Ticket are FREE, just turn up.

Address: 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London, E14 6TL

Line Up:

Luke Hull: Circa ’94

Lust for love, lust for live, judge or be judged. As my tumultuous past slowly unravels before you, just think to yourself what are you hiding in plain sight? Lust for love, lust for live, judge or be judged.

Dale Pearson: Title TBC

An exploration of how the dry, barren California desert can embody abstract human emotions. This piece was developed during Poplar Union’s ‘Peeling Back Places’ writing workshop lead by Dale Pearson.

Annie Rockson: Say Our Names

This poetic conversation focuses on the importance of rehumanising people through their stories. It declares everyone’s right to be recognised and shows empowerment through self actualisation. Follow poets on a personal and powerful journey as they explore what really is in a name…?

Sangeeta Pillai Lander: Soul Sutras

A reading of the first chapter of Sangeeta’s debut novel ‘Soul Sutras’- a tantalising tale that will leave you wanting more…

Sophie Woolley: Clear

A monologue about the emotional duality of becoming a cyborg, based on Woolley’s personal experience of hearing and deafness.

Cameron Cook: It All

Cameron Cook performs an eclectic, high-energy, low-budget one-man performance, spawned out of uncertainty, anxiety, and residual optimism about it all.

Tim McNiven & Sam Rix: Miserable Les

A first taste of the hilariously tragic and tragically hilarious brand new musical- Miserable Les.

I recently wrote, produced and performed in a new piece of theatre, directed by the multi-talented, Gemma Fairlie. The new piece starred the wonderful, much in demand Andile Vellem and Marsanne Neethling as onstage, integrated SASL Interpreter.
As a British Council Connect ZA piece, the performance at Artscape in Cape Town, South Africa caused a stir. I had a phone interview with a radio station in Johannesburg, which you can listen to below.

Here is a video of Andile at the R&D.

Andile Vellem in Fake Interpreter scratch performance. from CapeGosh on Vimeo.

More press below –

Blubblegum Club

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

This quote is at the top of every page of the blog that Sophie set up to document the process they are undertaking to put the production together. This quote ties together perfectly the core motivators behind their collaborative show. The first being the fake interpreter that was used at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. The second being the necessity for a serious public conversation about the need for good, qualified interpreters. The third being a conversation around who controls language. And lastly, thinking about deaf power, deaf pain and deaf people being able to have these kinds of conversations on their own terms.”

The Times, 21 April 2017 (republished online in Sunday Times)

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/lifestyle/entertainment/2017/04/21/Infamous-fake-interpreter-fiasco-inspires-thought-provoking-play1

”I’m interested in integrating sign language artistically. We’re trying to create a cross artform piece that has dance, signing, video editing and storytelling intertwined. It’s a new genre,” she said. ”Hopefully it will help people see this invisible world.”

Review and interview in Weekend Special –

https://weekendspecial.co.za/unmute-fake-interpreter/

Interview with Azania Mosaka on Radio 702

http://ewn.co.za/2017/04/25/fake-sign-language-interpreter-inspires-new-theater-production

We also had an interview on SAFM on the literature show with Nancy Richards.

And finally, read about the development of the piece on the blog. 

 

A short film that I wrote, directed, starred in and edited, is being screened at London Short Film Festival on 12 January 2016.

See the brochure and book tickets here.  The 10 day programme looks excellent. I’m proud to be a part of this festival after being selected from 2000 submissions.

I made my short, Expat on a Balcony, on an iPhone, using a Tascam portable recorder to record the audio. I edited it together in iMovie. It was a ‘no-budget’ film.

Lo-Budget Mayhem, London Short Film Festival

12 January 7pm @ Hackney Picturehouse 270 Mare St, London, E8 1HE, United Kingdom.

View Expat on a Balcony, my four minute film, online on youtube

The Waugh Office kindly asked me to do a live Periscope TV broadcast for their Cross Borders: RISK exhibition event with Venice Agendas at the Turner Contemporary Margate gallery. 

 

I’d been following the radio drama serial development workshops of Cape Town’s Siyaziwa at Children’s Radio Foundation and was delighted when the group agreed to a live interview.

They spoke candidly about wanting to create true-to-life LGBTIQ characters and storylines and the process of recording a ten part drama serial called Kwa Ntliziyondise.

My short film, Expat on a Balcony also screened at the gallery at the event.

Photos by Jacqueline van Meygaarden at CRF.