The Queen of the Spoken Word Scene Returns after 10 Year Gap

One of the most successful spoken word artists in the UK is set to return to the stage with her first full length show in almost 10 years.

Francesca Beard is considered a formative figure in the UK spoken word scene, her shows such as Chinese Whispers and Animal Olympics drew critical and audience acclaim.

Now, mixing story-telling, verse, spoken word, (gentle) audience interaction and a game of "Whose Lie is it Anyway"; How to Survive a Post Truth Apocalypse is the new crossover theatre/spoken word show from the London based poet.

It examines the impact of lies as democracy dissolves into satire around us and has a short preview tour in May taking in Colchester, Cambridge and London's Roundhouse before undertaking a full UK tour later in the year and into 2018.

Vote Leave to release an extra £350 million a week for the NHS! Obama used GCHQ to tap Trump Towers! So sorry I'm late, traffic was a nightmare!

Lies, lies and damned lies - who needs statistics? In the past year lying has gone truly mainstream. Let's be honest and tell the truth, we've all changed reality to suit ourselves in our lives and will do so again. But if everyone lies at least some of the time, then how can we ever know what's true, or what's real?

Francesca is the sham-shaman guide who will lead the audience on an epic quest through a stranger than fiction wonderland of lies, fabrications and "facts" in a show for anyone who has ever claimed to have read the terms and conditions.

On this journey the audience will explore make-believe in its many forms - from political spin: "We live in a meritocracy", to polite half-truths: "Thank you Grandma, I love this cardigan" to our formative memories and our consensus reality. In our "post truth" world, we are invited to consider the global cost of make believe, whether all humans are liars and whether the truth can set us free.

'I got to thinking about not knowing what is real and what is make-believe.' said Francesca 'I began to think of myself as a fictional character, perhaps trying to understand that the truth didn't matter. Then, as I was developing the show over the past year, the world changed. "Post-Truth" has become the word of the moment and democracy appears to be melting into satire all around us.'

How to Survive a Post Truth Apocalypse is directed by Rob Watt whose credits include Goosebumps Kids and the genre breaking Stand By For Tape Backup by Ross Sutherland.

As part of the project Francesca is creating an archive of lies. The public can contribute to this by submitting their favourite (or least favourite!) lies at www.posttruthapocalypse.com

How To Survive a Post-Truth Apocalypse: Francesca Beard

Innovative spoken word artist takes us on an on an epic adventure through a wonderland of lies, fictions and Wikipedia facts

24 May 8pm

Colchester Arts Centre Church St CO1 1NF

£pay what you can 01206 500900 www.colchesterartscentre.com

27 May 1pm

Cambridge Junction Watch Out Festival Clifton Way CB1 7GX

£20 (festival pass) 01223 511 511 www.junction.co.uk

31 May 8pm

London The Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road NW1 8EH (Part of The Last Word festival, where spoken word, theatre and gigs collide)

£12.50 0300 6789 222 www.roundhouse.org.uk

Written and performed by Francesca Beard
Directed and Dramaturged by Rob Watt
Produced by Tom MacAndrew and Hannah Jane Walker
Lighting Design by Charlie Morgan Jones
Video and Costume Design by Shawn Soh
Sound Design by Jethro Cooke
Developed with support from Apples and Snakes and Improbable

Supported by Arts Council England

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