Julia Britton - Playwright

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“He was unconventional in love, as he was in art…”

SYNOPSIS

He was beautiful, charming, talented, loving and promiscuous... Some called him a ‘Darling of the Gods’. British artist Duncan Grant endeared everyone who was everyone to him – famous artists, writers and intellectuals – while men and women fought for his personal and professional favours, among them essayist Lytton Strachey, artist Vanessa Bell, economist Maynard Keynes and novelist David Garnett. Fresh Pleasures is the story of a brilliant and talented man – an artist, who dared to be different without trying.

A NOTE ON THE PLAY

What attracted me to the story of Duncan Grant as the subject for a play? This is a question I’ve often been asked. Most of all, I think it’s the dazzling diversity of his talents. Here was no artist working day and night in a solitary attic, but a young man who went out into the world with a joyous zest to see everything, to experience everything, to savour every emotion. Life seemed to flow smoothly for the handsome young Duncan. Traumas, despair, frustration – so often the lot of artists – were far from his experiences. The charm of the man was phenomenal. Friends and lovers flocked around, rivals for his favours. He could love them and leave them without the bitter trail so often left behind. Lovers became lifelong friends. Surely, here was a unique quality to engage the mind. Was it the man’s inherent charm, his diversity of experience, his total honesty of purpose, never making promises, never feeling or causing regrets? What was his secret? Today, more than ever, my generation and a new generation are seeking the answer to these questions - Julia Britton

HISTORY

Fresh Pleasures was first read at Melbourne's La Mama Theatre on Saturday, 24 July 2004. It was produced by Fly-On-The-Wall Theatre (aka Performing Arts Projects), directed by Robert Chuter with the following cast: Mark Lee, Carole Yelland, Don Munro, Robert Corner, Paul Canlan, Christopher Pender, Margaret Younger and Elizabeth Slattery. On Monday, 13 September 2004, the play was read at The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Sydney. It was produced by Parnassus' Den, directed by John Derum with the following cast: Drayton Morley, Tony Sloman, Steven Klinder, Felicity Price, Marc Carra, Valentino Arico and Francesca Cordeaux.

The world premiere season of Fresh Pleasures produced by Fly-On-The-Wall Theatre as part of London Pride Festival Fortnight at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington, London from 07 - 19 June, 2005. It was directed by Robert Chuter, set design by Anthony Breslin, costume design by Alban Farrawell and lighting design by Chris Sanders featuring Tamblyn Lord as Duncan Grant.

Production Photography by Anthony Breslin
Publicity Photography by Peter Leiss

PERFORMANCE RIGHTS

Fresh Pleasures is available in two forms - solo and full cast versions.

The right of Julia Britton to be identified as auhor of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights whatsoever in this work, amateur or professional, are strictly reserved. Applications for permission or enquiries for any use whatsoever must be made in advance, before rehearsals commence, to: Julia Britton, 3 Tiuna Grove, Elwood, Victoria, Australia 3184 [www.juliabritton.com]. No performance may be given unless a licence has first been obtained.