The Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon - Event - a performance of: Springboard Festival 2025

Wednesday 14^th 'Poetic and Dramatic' Running Order

Poetry (40 minutes) Word Weavers Collective

A collation of talented local poets and word-crafters, curated and corralled by Emilie Lauren Jones, Yanyan Li and Alison Manning. A variety of voices that combine to create a community of questioning creatives exploring the theme of connection. They will weave a web around you with their words, binding together and strengthening the threads that link their seemingly disparate voices.

Drama (20 minutes): 'Scapegoat' by David Court, Directed by Dean Sheridan, Cast: Murray- Alan Wales, Devil- Alice Scott

Haunted by doubt and fueled by alcohol, Father Murray, a haggard Catholic priest world-weary from a thankless job, faces the ultimate test. His love for people long extinguished, he merely goes through the motions. Enter The Devil, an androgynous, arrogant, and exuberantly manipulative tempter, determined to exploit Murray's despair and shatter his already crumbling faith. A gripping exploration of temptation, despair, and the battle for a soul.

Interval

Drama (15 minutes): 'Aunty' by Maxi Di Poet, Directed by Olivia Marie, Cast: Martin Jordan and Andrea Mbarushimana

This dramatised spoken word piece is a loving tribute to those people who make such an impact on our lives. Aunty was a pillar of the family. She was loved, cherished and adored. She took the pain away not just as a nurse but she made everyone whole. Maxi Di Poet (aka Martin Jordan) is a creative spoken word artist and actor. He was part of the poets collective, 'We Are Poetry Nation' performing at Springboard 2024.

Poetry (25 minutes): Emilie Lauren Jones

Join Emilie as she shares her entertaining and thought-provoking musings on everyday life - from tales of motherhood to trying to decide what constitutes as modern art...
This performance includes several poems making their debut outing!
Emilie Lauren Jones, Coventry's first Poet Laureate, has featured on local and national radio and television, including two award-nominated shows. She has performed across the UK and internationally. Her first children's poetry book, ‘A Poetic A-Z of Awesome Animals’ (Caboodle Books) was released in October 2023. www.emilielaurenjones.co.uk @EmilieLauren

Drama (20 minutes) ' One Thousand and One' by Camilla Whitehill, Directed by Gennie Holmes, Cast: Maya-Morgan Blundell-Smith, Iza- Olivia Simone, Doctor- Chris Ingall, Sam- Rob Bell

Maya is taking therapy one step at a time. A funny and uplifting play about mental health and friendship. Maya has bi-polar disorder and this sharp funny play shows how she steps back into the world with the support of those around her.