On 16 March 2020, at a critical point in the coronavirus outbreak, theatres across the country began to close their doors. An entire industry slammed shut to artists and audiences alike.
On 17 March 2020, Papatango launched Isolated But Open: Voices from Across The Shutdown, to inspire creativity and share brilliant new stories at a time when people need them most.
The result is ten new monologues, chosen from 2063 submissions, representing the freshest, most vital and most exciting voices from across the country at this unprecedented time. In addition, the award-winning playwrights Rachel De-Lahay and Anders Lustgarten have provided two world premieres.
All twelve monologues have been filmed by hand-picked actors working in self-isolation, and the films are now below, free to view, with captions available.
The scripts have also been published by Nick Hern Books in a free playtext format, which you can download here.
Wild Swim by Martha Watson Allpress
Performed by Lizzy Watts
Balcony Bonding by Rachel De-Lahay
Performed by Susan Wokoma
Hungry Like by William Drew
Performed by Rosie Day
Guts by Angus Harrison
Performed by Bryony Miller
rise from the wreckage by Benedict Lombe
Performed by Gloria Obianyo
Solastalgia by Anders Lustgarten
Performed by Danny Kirrane
Leave A Message by Hannah Mribiha
Performed by Laura Hanna
Pythagoras by Emma Pritchard
Performed by Lucy Bromilow
Hips by Alex Riddle
Performed by Josef Davies
Hair to Stay by Danusia Samal
Performed by Shanaya Rafaat
The Second Law of Thermodynamics by Tafline Steen
Performed by Andrea Hall
One More Son by Pip Williams
Performed by Daniel Monks
If you enjoyed these films and want to support our efforts to generate paid work and creative opportunities in these difficult times, please consider donating. Anything makes a big difference. As we are a charity without core funding, our own future is uncertain, but we are committed to doing all we can to help artists and audiences make and enjoy new stories when we need them most.
