It started as therapy and ended in cabaret – BAD LOVE
MEDIA RELEASE: For immediate release
WHAT: Bad Love is a DV-inspired one-woman show, with its world-premiere in Brisbane
WHERE: The show is part of the Brisbane Anywhere Festival which started in 2011 and continues to take theatre into local nooks and crannies around the city
WHEN: Bad Love and Brisbane Anywhere Festival kick off early in May which is also Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month
CONTACT: Emm Watkins at H.E.L.L.A Productions 0401 758 559 or msemm2020@gmail.com
It started as therapy and ended in cabaret.
When Emm Watkins sat down with a domestic violence counsellor six years ago, she had no idea it would land her in this year’s Brisbane Anywhere Festival.
It was her counsellor’s plea that she do something with her original songs, penned as part of her recovery, that inspired Emm to develop her one-woman show, Bad Love, which will have its world premiere in May, during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
“When my counsellor, Claire, said “other women need to hear these songs” I knew I had to create something,” said Emm Watkins. “Two original songs became eight and the challenge spawned an intimate 60-minute show.”
“It’s been a rugged journey revisiting my marriage. I have a box filled with memories and photos I’ve forced myself to dip into for the show. The thought that my story could do some good has kept me going. If I didn’t have that belief I would not be here and nor would Bad Love,” said Emm Watkins.
Bad Love uses a series of original songs to take audiences through the stages of an abusive relationship, from falling in love to breaking free. The story is told with heartache and humour.
“The best way I can describe it is part tragedy, part comedy and part musical,” said Emm.
Emm’s faith in the project is matched by her directors, Brisbane-based theatre-maker Lisa-Maree Southgate and singer-songwriter Helen Rae Glindemann. Alongside Emm’s old schoolmate, Anywhere Festival co-founder, Alex McTavish, who encouraged Emm to bring her story to the stage.
Bad Love will play for five nights during the Anywhere Festival Brisbane starting on 6 May at The Junk Bar, Ashgrove.
For further information and to arrange a media interview or photography, contact:
Emm Watkins 0401 758 559 msemm2020@gmail.com
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