Nancy Astor's life comes under the spotlight on stage
Touching the Past concentrates on aspects of Nancy's life in Plymouth, politics and her marriage to Waldorf
Keith Rossiter
Sheila Snellgrove and Charlie Coldfield who star in Touching the Past – A play about Nancy Astor, by the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth (Image: Rob Giles)
The life of Nancy Astor comes under the spotlight in a short play being staged in Plymouth next week.
"Touching the Past", written and directed by Hugh Janes, features Sheila Snellgrove, Charlie Coldfield and John James McColl.
The 20 minute play concentrates on aspects of Nancy's life in Plymouth, politics and her marriage to Waldorf. It has two performances in Plymouth Guildhall's Charter Room at 2.30 and 4.00 on Thursday, November 28.
Nancy, Lady Astor was elected to Parliament 100 years ago this month, and became the first woman in Britain to take her seat in the Commons.
Sheila Snellgrove trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has worked in theatre and education as a teacher, actor, director and producer. She is a director of Plymouth Culture and Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council and served on Plymouth Fairness Commission.
She said she was thrilled to be playing Nancy Astor, who began a revolution in Plymouth. The city has had a female MP for 95 out of the 100 years since women were admitted to Parliament – nowhere else in the country can even compare.
Hugh Janes has written more than 50 plays, including for the Theatre Royal, The Drum and the Barbican Theatre (where he was writer-in-Residence).
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His play "The Haunting", based on some of Charles Dickens's short ghost stories, is performed throughout the UK and internationally and his film "All At Sea", starring Lauren Bacall in her last major role, went on general release in October.
The play is supported by Hoe Neighbourhood Forum and English Heritage Lottery Fund.
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