This play, based on Julia's experience of breast cancer, was produced by the Ashton Group Contemporary Theatre and toured in the autumn of 1998.
It is now being published as the title play in a collection of Julia's plays from New Writing North. There is a special offer on this book until 16 December 2005 — see the front page for more details.
'It's 1 in 12 women isn't it?......'
'Well that's OK then because there's only 4 of us!'
Nominated for three awards, Eating The Elephant is the funny and moving story of an unlikely friendship. Four middle-aged women meet in a northern hospital.
Carol is a cleaner, Miranda is a university lecturer, Laura works in a building society and Zimmy teaches Tai Chi. On the surface they have nothing in common, in fact they don't even like each other very much, but they are about to discover that they all have breast cancer. Thrown together through mutual need, the 4 women embark on a friendship which becomes the most important thing in their lives. They travel together through uncertain treatments, swimming pools, night clubs and even into the air towards a joyful and liberating solution.
Compelling, thought provoking and poignantly funny This is upfront stuff, tough in its telling and tragic in its humour Extremely funny....If you missed it this time, catch it next.
Carlisle Star
...four superb actresses kept us enthralled and highly amused.
N.W.Evening Mail
Cries out for the adjective 'heart-warming', that doesn't diminish it's power and wit. And it is witty!
Northern Review, Newcastle upon Tyne
'we thought that your play was one of the best productions that we have seen in recent years'
Dr. and Mrs McManners,
Bishop Auckland Medical Group
'...there were many groups of women, including nurses and cancer support groups, who were laughing and applauding and literally gasping in a way I haven't heard in the theatre for a long time.'
John Fox
Artistic Director, Welfare State International
On other pages: How To Behave With The Ill, Inside Out, National Poetry Day 2004, Sudden Blossoms, The Manifesto For Tyneside Upon England, The Great British Public Cold Calling, Attachments, The Writer's Choice, Doughnuts like Fanny's, Personal Belongings, The Last Post and Posties and The Lost Birds of England
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Created by Julia Darling and Cornwell Internet. |
Last updated on 24th November 2005 by Roger Cornwell.
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