2018
House of Commons, London
30 October Speaker’s House. For The Opera all Party Parliamentary Group
“I found it not only riveting but also very moving. You expressed so eloquently Dame Ethel’s love of life, passion for music and her active role in women’s suffrage…your attention to the text both as an actor and a singer were pitched to perfection.” Siva Oke Managing Director SOMM Recordings
Milton Court Concert Hall
3 October Silk Street, London
“What a stupendous evening! Just genius writing, brilliant and refreshing, this vivid portrait of someone so unburdened by the conventions of her time…your voice is a powerful and beautiful instrument brilliantly played! We want to see it all over again!” Ruth Crow
The St Marylebone Festival
26 July St Marylebone Church, London “Reading about Ethel Smyth recently and seeing the amazing performance of Lucy Stevens at Marylebone Festival (in Grasp the Nettle) I am left with the distinct impression that I was in the presence of Smyth herself. Brava.” Janet Gibson Convenor of the Opera all Party Parliamentary Group
Cambridge
16 July Cambridge Federation of Women’s Institutes
Hitchin Festival
7 July Woodside Hall, Hitchin
“Fabulous evening. Very entertaining & informative. So nice to hear contralto singing.” Patricia clegg
London School of Economics
4 July LSE Shaw Library, Old Building, Holborn
“Absolutely superb performance by Lucy Stevens of Ethel Smyth’s life & work for LSE Library.” Dr Debbie Challis
English Music Festival
28 May Silk Hall, Radley College, Oxfordshire.
“Can’t recommend Lucy Stevens play with music about Ethel Smyth highly enough. Superb acting and vocal performances and some exceptional navigation of fiendish piano reductions by Elisabeth Marcus. Funny, touching and uplifting – A must see!” Light Music Society
Sandstone Ridge Festival
20 May Tattenhall, Chester.
“Thoroughly recommend this entertaining moving and compelling show. Told in the composer’s words and brilliantly constructed and performed.” Martin Bussey Conductor/Composer
Northumberland – Highlights Tour
26 April St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope
28 April The Cheviot Centre, Wooler
29 April Lesbury Village Hall
“absolutely amazing, so inspirational- thank you so much …so lucky to be able to experience exceptional shows in a friendly, intimate atmosphere in such beautiful locations. A truly magical theatre experience.” Audience member
Cumbria – Arts Out West Tour
20 April Ireby
21 April Gosforth
27 April Wreay Village Hall
“…inspired performance, captures Ethel with such a compelling mix of humour, strident determination – and integrity, intensity, vision – of a soul shot through with subtle affection. It made for a brilliantly varied evening and we loved it. The music was a revelation, large enough for a vast space and then suddenly intimate, and unexpectedly lyrical, rendered so beautifully.” Rosemary Pavey
Tunbridge Wells
18 April The Forum. “Fantastic evening, wonderful musical range and riveting account of Ethel Smyth’s life as well as her contribution to the women’s suffrage campaigns…unforgettable.” Mary Carol Wilson
Woking
11 March Rhoda McGaw Theatre “Grasp the Nettle was truly wonderful, dramatic, skillful, accomplished and overall simply rather brilliant. Thank you for opening my eyes to the talent and life of Ethel Smyth… an incredibly virtuosic, dynamic and engaging performance.” Dr. Amy Bebbington
Hemel Hempstead
3 March The Old Town Hall. “A tremendously thought provoking and moving show. Lucy’s performance; such brilliant acting and her beautiful voice!” Audience member.
Cambridge
15 February Rayner Centre
“Another absolute triumph! Your combined musical skills are tremendous. Last night you gave us an extraordinary insight into the life and music of a truly remarkable woman. It was magical, moving and totally engrossing.” Nick Barnes Chairman & Programme Secretary, The Arts Society, South Cambs
Cornwall
8 February Sterts Studio, Liskeard.
9 February The Acorn, Penzance.
10 February The Poly, Falmouth
“…a very powerful performance, fascinating character portrayed, and also the sensitive and skilled piano accompaniment.” Acorn Theatre Trustee
London
1 February Redbridge Drama Centre, “We were enraptured by the show. What a brilliant new play. What an outstanding actress! I felt like I had met Ethel. I would love to see it all again.”
Kathleen Ferrier Whattalife! 2018
Church Stretton Arts Festival
1 August Church Stretton Arts Festival, Shropshire. “Just riveting – the time flew by. We have seen many high calibre performances at the festival over the years, and you and your wonderful pianist are right up there.” Steve Baker
The St Marylebone Festival
25 July St Marylebone Parish Church, London. “Lucy Stevens as Kathleen Ferrier in Whattalife! Talented actress, writer and whattavoice! with brilliant Elizabeth Marcus at piano. Whattanevening! See them whenever you can. Unmissable.” Janet Gibson Convenor of the Opera all Party Parliamentary Group
Lucy Stevens 