A Tale of sex, seduction and survival. Journey into the murky, sordid and dangerous depths of Brighton’s Victorian Underworld, an evocation of memories and past lives.
Betsy, a sauce box, a church bell and a woman on the edge, with mouths to feed, nobs to fleece, and blobby boys to repel. Having parted company from the St Mary’s Home for Penitent Women, she’s been given a “situation” by the knobs of the town, keeping an eye on the house of builder and land developer Thomas Kemp, lest he should return with the money he owes his creditors. It isn’t long before she meets Guardian of the Town and Chair of the Committee for the Provision of the poor, George Bintshaft. Flowers arrive. Then wine, then dresses. A carriage to take Betsy to a private supper. More wine, soft words, and then a hot wine-laden breath, urgent whisperings, fumblings at the same dress...
Performed Off-Broadway, New York City, Dec 2022 Winner: International Fringe Encore Series Award 2022 Shortlisted: Brighton Fringe International Touring Award in Association with The Pebble Trust 2022, Shortlisted: UnBarred Best Local Artist Award, Brighton Fringe 2022 Nominated: Best Female Performer Brighton Fringe 2013 (with Rachel Guershon) Amongst Top 5 Theatre shows Brighton Source’s Best of Brighton 2022.
Something Underground is very pleased to announce that Imogen Strachan will be playing the role of Betsy.
“I’ll show you what I’ve been hiding, for thousands of years.”
Written & Directed by Jonathan Brown
Reviews
Eleanor Dillon-Reams had everyone engaged from the start! The reality of what a whore has to do in order to survive. You can tell director/
- Remote Goat, ★★★★★
Writer/director Jonathan Brown’s protean imagination and craft... it’s wonderful to see one of the most darkly-visioned of all return... feel your way down
- Fringe Review, Outstanding Show
5 Stars! This incredible piece of writing by Jonathan Brown is the confirmation that the fringe is the place for new theatre and talent. This one woman drama is a feat of almost unbelievable measure... .Actor Isabella McCarthy Sommerville (emerges) from the flickering candlelit cellars of the Old Ship Hotel ... pulling on her draws, lacing her boots... confronting her audience. This exquisite performance is colourful, unrelenting and at times brutal. The characters portrayed along the way are brilliantly realised, the sense of place tangible, the stench of poverty balanced by the sweet scent of privilege becomes real in our minds. So too the explicit raw sexuality and the degrading violence – it’s totally shocking and often repellent but despite that this is utterly compelling theatre of the highest order and deserving of a much wider audience. This is the kind of work that should remind us all of the real need for live theatre. Why do I only have five stars to award?
Venue Accessibility:Assistance Dogs WelcomeAccessible ToiletAge suitability: 12+ (Restriction)Babes in Arms policy: Under 2's are not allowed at this event.Content Warnings: Strong Language Loud Noises References to Drug/Alcohol Misuse References to Sexual Abuse Depictions and references to ViolenceAdditional Content Warning: Birthing scene.
Assistance Dogs Welcome 
Accessible Toilet 
Strong Language 
Loud Noises 
References to Drug/Alcohol Misuse 
References to Sexual Abuse 
Depictions and references to Violence Additional Content Warning: 
