Our young reporter, Anisa (17), joined us at year’s Yorkshire Festival of Story to review some acts.

Here are Anisa’s thoughts on the comedy duo Black Liver’s Miss Nobodies. 

On Sunday (12th November) I visited Skipton Town Hall to watch ‘Miss Nobodies’, an ode to the lives of Lancashire’s working class women.

Ruth Cockburn and Keith Carter, two performers full of energy, emerged onto the stage, transporting us to a fundraiser for the Old Tin Bath Shop, which we were to learn plenty more about.

Written by Blackpool-born Ruth, the play takes us on a century long journey through one shop, showing working-class life in Lancashire. It was inspired by the UK’s first working-class woman to publish a novel, Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, and we hear some of her stories and poetry within the play itself.

Storytelling Talents

The play is driven by the pair and their storytelling talents – each era is represented through fragmented tales of women of the past – often working behind their husbands. The combination of poetry, song and spoken word effectively reflects the diversity and changes of working class lives across the century.

Each tale builds a picture of hardship, whilst also sharing joy and true Northern spirit.

As well as its serious perspective, Miss Nobodies also features a lot of subtle comedy. The duo has great chemistry and humour which can be seen throughout the piece. The improvisation alongside the scripted aspects give the play a real life touch.

The body language of both performers was astounding, and the delivery of all the lines alongside the occasional audience interaction made the us feel especially immersed in the play.

Memorable Scenes

One of the most memorable scenes was one about the sweet shop, and two friends – one who always left the other taking the blame. This scene was exceptional! Ruth’s body language and the way she spoke the piece made us feel like we were another of their friends.

I loved the little music interludes throughout, indicating to us that the scenes were changing, and as they start to put their new outfits on, you are trying to figure out what the next scenario will be.

I am so glad I was given the opportunity to see Miss Nobodies, and if I had the chance, I would definitely watch it again.

 

We’d like to thank Anisa for coming to these events and for taking the time to write her review and send it in to us. We’re looking forward to reading more from Anisa.

To learn more about Black Liver, and to find out where you can get the chance to see the brilliant Miss Nobodies, click the link below

Black Liver 

 

 

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