The Playwrights Database
CLIVE ESSAME
(1960 - )Nationality: British
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Clive Essame is a writer who creates theatre that falls into two very different genres. Firstly entertaining educational plays that look at issues that are important for young people, mental health and disability/difference. His personal experience of disability enables him to invite audiences to consider how the attitude of society and the person with a disability meet and how this meeting impacts on this relationship throughout life. He does this through the medium of "poor theatre" - not resorting to elaborate costume or scenery meaning that his plays can be produced in the barest of spaces, a school hall, a playground or a village hall. He has written community pantomimes including "Ali Baba and the two and half thieves". Also "Taking on the World" which was an improvised piece looking at the environmental challenges facing teenagers as they take on the world that us adults have left them, "Impisi" which premiered at the South African National Arts Festival. Both "Impisi" and Mbali use the characters of African wild animals to tell their stories. In 2014 he write and directed "Four go en Seine" which is a comedy following the adventures of two couples who are well into their retirement years trying to rediscover their lost youth, "Mbali" which looks at the real issues of mental ill health and his latest work which is in development which is another comedy called "Honeymoon for One". He works with other writers on collaborations which bring new angles and ideas to his work.
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below is a list of Clive Essame's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Four go en Seine ImpisiFour go en Seine
Synopsis:
Based on a real life holiday Four go en Seine tell the story of two couples, well into their retirement years, holidaying together on a French canal in an ill fated attempt to recapture their lost youth. An old, and previously undisclosed, romance between two of the people, a packet of "herbs",and a thong found in a suitcase that does not belong to them, plus a dunking in the canal, all feature in a farce that changes everyone's life, and to one character brings "peace, perfect peace" as the play ends. Four go en Seine runs to about an hour in length.
Notes:
A relatively simple set is needed featuring a down at heel canal boat, including a cabin where actors can be heard but not seen, a deck area where the action takes place and a lock side.
1st Produced:
The Institute, Ottery St Mary, Devon
01 Jul 2014
Organisations:
Ottery Community Theatre
1st Published:
-
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageImpisi
Synopsis:
Impisi is the tale of Nkosi, a young, strong male lion who is about to take over the pride from the old lion, until, one morning he gets his leg caught in a wire snare. As he lies, trapped, Impisi the hyena taunts and teases him, threatening to kill him. Vulture wants to eat him. He escapes the snare but is badly hurts and as he lies close to death other animals visit him, showing contempt for the fallen king to be. Each interaction brings an important message about how we see people who may be disabled or different and it is Nkosi's reaction to them, and Impisi, that begins the healing process. Impisi is key to this process and while we, and Nkosi, see hyenas as ugly, deformed scavengers, the truth is far from this. Impisi and Nkosi eventually work together to get the lion back to his rightful place. Inviting interpretation through movement and simple costume, Impisi brings the African savannah to life and teaches us many lessons about how we see people who are different, and how we may see ourselves.
Notes:
The original performance was with two male actors taking all the roles, but the script is flexible and could be produced with a class of young people, or a small theatre company, gender is not important.
1st Produced:
South African National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, SA
2007
Organisations:
Sue Clarence Promotions
1st Published:
-
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Educational school theatre
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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