Watch Berkoff's Women 'At Yours' this November
Liverpool actress Gill Hardie and her partner are launching a new national online streaming service to bring top theatre treats direct to people at home.
Hardie and developer and film-maker Eva Ragoo hope At Yours will eventually build up a catalogue of on-demand performances to watch online.
They carried out a successful trial run of the service earlier this summer with Liverpool favourite Scottie Road.
And now At Yours is set to be officially launched this month with a new, specially filmed performance of Berkoff’s Women by veteran stage and screen actress Linda Marlowe.
Theatre fans will have the chance to see her acclaimed performance, directed by Josie Lawrence, online from November 19-22.
Marlowe, who TV fans will know as matriarch Sylvie Carter in EastEnders, has enjoyed a 40-year working relationship with writer and director Steven Berkoff in which she has played all his leading lady roles.
And two decades ago she was inspired to bring them together in Berkoff’s Women – described as a theatrical exploration of sensuality, pathos, revenge, heart-breaking loneliness and riotous humour - which she has since performed all over the world.
The 80-year-old actress, who had a busy diary of work planned before Covid struck in March, says: “Steven writes so beautifully; this is a chance to introduce Berkoff’s Women to a wider audience still, and in a medium in which they will be preserved for posterity. I hope I do him – and them – justice.”
The one-woman show was filmed in sessions at two London theatres last month by Tim Brunsden of Liverpool-based The Light Factory.
Above: Gill Hardie and Eva Ragoo
Top: Linda Marlowe (photo by Eric Richmond) and Josie Lawrence
Meanwhile Gill, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the business including West End shows like Kinky Boots and major UK tours, explains of At Yours: “I was guest teaching at the Arden Theatre School, working with students on improvising a musical from scratch, when lockdown happened and like many others in my profession I suddenly found myself out of work.
“Having seen the response to organisations like the National Theatre streaming its plays online, my partner Eva and I decided it would be great to be able to provide a platform for people who have made, or are planning, their own shows and through it also help those in the wider industry who work on them.
“And At Yours was born.”
She adds: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Linda. What an incredible woman!”
Shows due to go on sale in the near future include The Flowerpot Women from November 26-29, and Terry Titter's Spaced Out Christmas from December 3-27.
Berkoff’s Women will be streamed on At Yours from November 19-22 at 8pm.
Tickets are £10 on November 19 and £15 for the November 20-22 performances, available from the website HERE