Ride along with Dame June Bloom on a journey through the seven ages of woman with sonnets, songs and stories. Life as a touring actor has taught this poet, scholar, raconteur and singer-songwriter a few things, and while she might be getting on, no-one puts Grandma in the corner.
Written and performed by Flloyd Kennedy (with William Shakespeare), directed by Ira Seidenstein (Cirque du Soleil, Slava Snow Show).
Available to tour when it is possible to do so. Stay safe.
Audience response, 23 November 2019
“Flloyd Kennedy’s show is full of inspirational fun and songs wound around an educational glimpse at Shakespeare’s sonnets, giving the audience a fresh insight into the beautifully performed poems. The Bard would love it!”
“I loved the rap. Clearly, Shakespeare was a rapper in his day. He loved words – the sound and shape, the taste of words. Your portrayal of the sonnets showed us this. Thanks!”
Audience feedback from our show in Edinburgh, 21st September…
“Congratulations, Flloyd on your great show in Edinburgh. Such a fine variety of voices packed into one hour of pure entertainment! “
And from our show in Westruther, Scottish Borders, on 20th September…
“Fabby!”
“U know when you’ve been ‘uked’ – straight to the quick and straight from the heart – incisive, heartfelt, and tingly fun.”
“It was a great night and we really enjoyed ourselves – power to your elbow”
‘VERY ENLIGHTENING’
‘GREAT SHOW, GOOD VARIETY’
‘Very entertaining – lots of variety to the show – it made me both laugh and cry and was very honest too. Would highly recommend Yes! Because… to anyone with a love of music, Shakespeare or the brutal honesty of life in general.’
FEEDBACK FROM WORKSHOP:
‘Really interesting and quite exhilarating’
‘very intelligent & knowledgeable workshop leader’
Ride along with Dame June Bloom on a journey through the seven ages of woman with sonnets, songs and stories. Life as a touring actor has taught this poet, scholar, raconteur and singer-songwriter a few things, and while she might be getting on, no-one puts Grandma in the corner.
Written and performed by Flloyd Kennedy (with William Shakespeare), directed by Ira Seidenstein (Cirque du Soleil, Slava Snow Show)
Audience response, following the performance at Bread & Roses Theatre, South Clapham, London.
London – “loved the ballsy hiphop” “infectious!” “enjoyed unpacking of the sonnets” “a wonderful journey” “she is just a great performer”
Siân Rowland, LondonPubTheatres. says: “Flloyd Kennedy twinkles and twirls in peacock blue (with matching nail polish) and takes the audience on an hour-long romp through her character’s life. I probably learned more about some of the Bard’s best known sonnets in that one hour than I did in the whole of my school career. We were schooled in quatrains and rhyming couplets, imagery and structure. Kennedy clearly adores his work.
“Just as we’re drawn into Shakespeare’s most sublime verse, out comes the ukulele and we’re transported from an outback dunny to the local dance via some musings on life, love, parenting and grandkids.” – You can read the full review here
New York – ***** “Ukulele at the ready, June Bloom calls forth beautifully delivered Shakespearean sonnets as she transports her suitcase and her niggling mummy issues across the stages of life. Rap on, Dame June!” Doug Honorof – Voice Coach, NYC
“Flloyd Kennedy’s Yes, Because… is mesmerising, especially as it’s laced with Shakespeare Sonnets! The vocal pitch range she uses in the course of the show sets a brilliant example for young students who tend to stay within a very small compass.” Dr. Joan Melton, Musical Theatre Faculty, Manhattan School of Music, NYC (author of One Voice, Singing in Musical Theatre, and Dancing with Voice)
“For an evening of laughter, whimsy and wit don’t miss “Yes, Because…”, Flloyd Kennedy’s solo show. You’ll spend an hour with a woman who will charm and touch you, make you giggle and guffaw, and do it while offering a refreshing, gently eccentric exploration of some Shakespeare sonnets. She sings and plays the ukulele, ponders life and family and British Pantomime – and every moment is delightfully, deliciously entertaining. I loved it!”
Paula Hoza
Brisbane – **** “Yes, Because… is witty, quirky and intelligent. A genuinely entertaining piece, raw and inextricably funny… Clowning around, switching accents and performing eclectic parodies delighted the audience who responded with bellows of laughter and cheer” Sally Peters, ArtsHub. Scroll down the page for the full review.
Brisbane –“gorgeously vulnerable and funny.”
Melbourne – “one of the most engaging and rewarding pieces of theatre I have seen for a very long time. I found it startlingly and brilliantly unsafe.
Liverpool – “I was captivated… June’s storytelling and songs had me both laughing and crying in equal measure”
Southend – “not-to-be-missed poetic, charming and unique piece of theatre”
Brisbane – “See it! It’s funny! She immediately puts her audience at their ease and walks them down a journey of pain and hilarity.”
Here’s Dame June as Fairy Bessie on Friday 1st April at the Lantern Theatre (Downstairs), Liverpool, as part of Threshold Festival 2016
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I was not disappointed. She was amazing and I laughed so much, as she is a master of comedy and everyone could relate to her songs. Flloyd has a unique talent in getting the audience to participate on her journey and it was a delight from start to finish.” (Clifftown Theatre, Southend-on-Sea. 9th March 2016)
“Yes, Because… is witty, quirky and intelligent. A genuinely entertaining piece, raw and inextricably funny… Clowning around, switching accents and performing eclectic parodies delighted the audience who responded with bellows of laughter and cheer… Accepting yourself and the flow of life as they are, this personal insight pulls life apart, laughs at it, the success and the downfalls, and the pure joy of being. All through the eyes of a talented woman, entertainer and teacher.” Click here for the full review by Sally Peters, Artshub.
“See it! It’s funny! Flloyd has a masterful connection to herself and her character and immediately puts her audience at their ease and walks them down a journey of pain and hilarity.” – Peter Rasmussen BA CGA- Casting Director.