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"A mighty spirit is about to reawaken. Yours"
Derek Jarman: film-maker, painter, gardener at Prospect Cottage, activist, writer... his influence remains as strong as it was on the day AIDS killed him in 1994. But his story, one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, has never been told. Until now.
This vibrant new solo play by Mark Farrelly (Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Howerd's End) brings Derek back into being for a passionate, daring reminder of the courage it takes to truly live while you're alive. A journey from Dungeness to deepest, brightest Soho and into the heart of one of our most iconoclastic artists.
Jarman’s works include taboo-breaking films like Sebastiane, Jubilee and Caravaggio, pop videos for the Pet Shop Boys (It’s A Sin and Rent), his extraordinary borderless garden in Dungeness, his shocking last paintings, and his unforgettable final film Blue, consisting of a single continuous frame of blue and chronicling what it’s like to lose your sight…but never your artistic vision.
Written and performed by Mark Farrelly (Nominated for Best Solo Performance for Jarman at Off-West End Awards)
Directed by Sarah-Louise Young
Lighting and Design by Sarah-Louise Young and Mark Farrelly
Sound Design Tom Lishman
Produced by Mark Farrelly
Post-show Q&A: Following the performance of Jarman on Tuesday 7th March and a short interval, Mark Farrelly will be joined on stage by Peter Tatchell. Peter has been campaigning internationally since 1967 on issues of human rights, democracy, civil liberties, LGBTQ+ equality and global justice. Peter will speak about his close association with Derek Jarman, before taking audience questions with Mark Farrelly. The Q&A will finish at 9.40pm.
Supporting The Terrence Higgins Trust
Running time: 80 mins no interval
★★★★★ Queer Guru
"beautiful, fun and relentlessly inspiring. Jarman is a fearless portrait of a key figure in LGBTQ+ history, and one of this country’s greatest artists'
"beautiful, fun and relentlessly inspiring. Jarman is a fearless portrait of a key figure in LGBTQ+ history, and one of this country’s greatest artists'
★★★★★ Bum on a Seat
“Jarman admonishes us to ‘be astonishing’. And that’s exactly what Mark Farrelly is. Fabulous, thought-provoking stuff”
★★★★★ AJH Loves Theatre
"a performance of such controlled brilliance"
★★★★★ London Theatre 1
'a mini-masterpiece”
★★★★ The Stage
'a gripping solo show”
★★★★ North West End
"Incredibly accomplished”
★★★★ West End Best Friend
“astonishingly charismatic”
★★★★ Theatre-News.com:
"A mesmerising performance that moves, amuses and shocks in equal measure. A stunning piece of theatre and stage craft that will enthral all that see it”
★★★★ Sardines Magazine:
“Farrelly is a remarkable actor. He brings an extraordinary, glittering edge and sense of danger to everything he does”
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
“The amount of emotional energy Farrelly sustains in taking us through all the different phases of Jarman’s life is remarkable”
★★★★ London Living Large:
“An astonishing and heartfelt portrayal… Exceptional"
★★★★ Reviews Gate:
"An enthralling performance”
Jarman – Tues 7th, Thurs 9th, Fri 10th March, 7.30pm
Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope – Weds 8th, 7.30pm, Sat 11th March, 3pm & 7.30pm
All production and performance shots jbellas.co.uk | Twitter/Instagram @j_bella_s