Still Here, an innovative new work by acclaimed playwright and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) graduate Pete MacHale is coming to Bournemouth’s Palace Court Theatre.
Directed by Stephanie Kempson (Until the Sun Goes Down, Breathless) and mentored by award-winning Stephanie Dale (Salt), Still Here is a ghost story set in Bournemouth during three different eras: 2019, 1966, and 978 AD.
The production, which will run from 5–7 June, sheds a new light on the Palace Court Theatre and the land it stands on in a poignant evocation of Bournemouth, its stories and its people.
In 2019, four teenagers break into the Palace Court Theatre, ready for one last game of ghost-hunt before they leave Bournemouth and childhood behind. Meanwhile, in 1966, tempers rise as a local amateur company puts on a play that they hope will save the theatre from closure. And in 978, King Edward and his sister Edith look towards Corfe Castle, wondering what the future holds for England.
Pete MacHale is a transmasculine actor and writer from Bristol, whose acting credits include playing Gothic Paul in Doctor Who, as well as notable series such as Gangs of London. His writing credits include Dear Young Monster and Shake My Bones.
He's also an alumni of the Royal Courts Queer writers' group, currently developing a number of projects for both stage and screen.
Still Here is a story about love, resistance and wanting to stay where you are, or wanting to stay who you are.
Pete explains, “From being conceptualised as a story about and for people who live in Bournemouth, developing the script with students and workshop attendees last year at Poole Pride, and reminiscing on my own experiences during my years of AUB, Still Here takes and blends those things together in a story that centres identity and place and how those two themes intersect.
“Everyone in this story, in some way, is figuring out themselves out. Who they are, to themselves, to one and other, where they want to go or stay, and why. I feel all of these questions are as relevant now as they were in 2019 and in 1966, and tie in perfectly with Pride.
“As a queer writer, it’s fantastic that the script’s debut performance has landed full circle to happen during this year’s Poole Pride, and to be the first fully staged piece of new writing at the Palace Court Theatre under AUB's ownership is such an exciting honour!"
The play will be performed and produced as part of AUB Productions, a collaborative effort between students on BA (Hons) Acting, Costume, Design for Costume and Performance, and Make-up for Media and Performance courses.
Still Here will run at the Palace Court Theatre on Hinton Road in Bournemouth from Thursday 5 June until Saturday 7 June. Standard tickets are £12 with a Pay What You Can performance on 7 June at 14.30.
For more information and to book tickets, visit the event on our website.
