Rachel Carson Play success

Last week I was fortunate to see the new one woman play about the environmentalist Rachel Carson - entitled ‘Breaking the Silence' - it was met with massive applause at The Space on Friday 8th February - indeed the audience insisted Liz Rothschild, who played Rachel Carson, come out three times to accept their appreciation of her performance in this powerful play.

Photo: Liz Rothschild in play at The Space

2007 was the centenary year of Rachel Carson’s birth. “Breaking the Silence” was written and performed by Liz Rothschild (i) - a totally compelling performance - this engrossing play was a joyous celebration of the natural world - and we should not forget that Rachel Carson’s discoveries remain as urgent as they were in 1962 - don't miss it when it comes again (see below)!

Having had ME/CFS, pesticides and organophosphates have been something I have followed with interest - many consider that in some cases there is a strong causal link between ME/CFS and pesticides - anyhow it is great this play is shedding light on the fact that problems still remain - just recently we have seen new EU legislation giving some protection from the harmful effects of pesticide spraying but still there is no legal obligation on farmers to inform nearby residents of their spray plans (ii) and calls to reduce the 31 million kg of pesticides sprayed on UK crops each year have not been answered (iii).

Many common pesticides are potentially harmful to human health even in small doses. An estimated 30% of our food has pesticide residues and it costs taxpayers £100 million per year to remove pesticides from our household water and more millions in health problems. It is time Governments listened to Rachel Carson and those today calling for much tighter regulations - and what about a tax on pesticides for their so-called 'side-effects'.

In the question and answer section with Liz afterwards for those who stayed behind - ie virtually the whole audience - I was interested to learn that the play can't be shown in States and not on radio here - possibly a film on the way? However surely this play if it were on radio would actually increase interest in any possible film or are there other reasons?

Play returns

The play returns to the Stroud area on Friday 7th March at Ruskin Mill Old Bristol road Nailsworth. Tickets £6 or £5 concessions from 01453 837 537

Notes:

(i) Background to the play.

Liz Rothschild is a performer, director, writer and workshop leader. She trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic, worked at Derby Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum, the Sherman Theatre and Theatr Clwyd, and has toured with Northern Studio Theatre Company, Riff-Raff Company and the young National Trust theatre company. She currently directs a theatre company for people with learning disabilities for Reach Inclusive Arts in Swindon, and runs an inter-generational arts project, Bridging the Gap, in Faringdon, Oxfordshire. In the last 10 years, she has also written, produced and directed three large-scale community theatre productions, working with adults and schools. Deeply involved in environmental issues, this is her first one-person show, which was inspired by Rachel Carson’s 1962 groundbreaking book, ‘Silent Spring’.

Liz Rothschild said: “The show is not a history lesson, nor is it about fear and despair. It is a love story. Through it you meet this remarkable woman, experience the natural world as she did, and hear stories she never told in her lifetime, and how they reverberate today.”

‘Breaking the Silence’ is directed by Sue Mayo, designed by Sue Condie, and performed to a specially commissioned soundscape by Joseph Young, inspired by the sounds of the natural world. The show will tour theatres, arts centres, farms, village halls, colleges and conferences For more information about the project, visit:
http://www.rachelcarson.co.uk/

(ii) See Green party news release from 24th October 2007 here.

(iii) See Pesticide Action Network UK:
http://www.pan-uk.org/