|
|
 |
LONDON
during the 1950s was a difficult time for some. Vera
Drake, though, did her best to help needy people in
the community.
Her selfless, gentle nature makes her a beacon of light
in dark days.
Her elderly mother, disabled friend and lonely neighbours
rely on her – as do hundreds of women who have
fallen pregnant out of wedlock.
On Friday afternoons, Vera makes housecalls to girls
to help them abort. She doesn’t see that she’s
breaking the law, only helping people in need. Her short
time with the frightened girls was the only acknowledgement
of their situation they got.
When the police find out what she’s been doing
on the side of her community work, her family’s
happy, secure life turns around.
This well-acted movie has stayed out of the spotlight.
Worth a look.
–
Lieutenant Simone Heyer
|
| Stage
Beauty |
| Magna
Pacific |
|
 |
DURING
the early days of Shakespearean theatre, men acted women’s
parts.
It challenged a man to really put his heart and soul
into the character, as well as making himself as believably
feminine as possible.
This suited men, but not women who longed for the warmth
of the on-stage limelight.
They could get close to the acting scene by being dressers
of the actors, but behind the scenes they learned the
lines of the plays, waiting for the day the acting rules
changed.
When Mrs Hughs is involved in an illegal pub production
of Othello, she comes to the King’s attention,
and with the help of his mistress, the acting rules
are changed.
This opens the floodgates for women actors and forces
men in women’s roles to learn to act like men,
or live on the streets.
–
Lieutenant Simone Heyer
|
