Too
Much Punch for Judy tells the true story of an incident
which happened on May 20th 1983. Using only the words of those involved
or closely affected, the play explores the problems surrounding
the death of Joanna when her sister was at the wheel in a drink-drive
incident. The play looks at the sisters relationship with each other
and their mother. It then concentrates on the actual crash and immediate
aftermath, mainly through the eyes of the first witness at the scene.
PC Chris Caten, in real life a good friend of the family, then has
to break news of Joanna's death to her mother and Judy in turn,
before the mother and daughter are left to deal with their loss.
The
power of Too Much Punch For Judy lies in it's truth, the comic
bitter sweet way it drives home the message. It hits the audience hard
because not only is what happened real, but the words, taken from interviews
of those involved, are real as well.
An opening section of fast, funny physical theatre is followed by naturalistic
scenes of high emotional-intensity to make a tight production which
is as entertaining as it is thought provoking.
During
the performance, tears stream down the faces of actors and audience
alike. Performed in a simple square with few props. The actors speak
directly to the audience as well as to each other.
You can download the seating plan for this play
here.
If you wish to book this play for a week please visit the contact page.
Cast
- Judy
- Jo/Mum
- Duncan/Charge Nurse Davis
- PC Chris Caten
Scenes
- Just another night on the piss
- Childhood and youth in retrospect
- The events leading up to the incident
- Scratch Bridge - scene of the incident
- Inside Mum's house
- The Hospital
- In retrospect
