‘Come Out Fighting’: Falmouth graduates star in new play from What Now Productions
29 September 2023
Above image: Steve Tanner
Falmouth Academy of Music & Theatre Arts (AMATA) graduates star in new play exploring suppressed sexuality and homophobia within the armed forces, which opens this weekend.
Come Out Fighting, a new play by Cornwall based company What Now Productions, opens this weekend in Cornwall and will tour across the county, Devon and London. The play is written and directed by School of Film & Television associate lecturer Nick Bamford and stars recent Acting BA(Hons) graduates Jacob Mellers and Langley Howard.
Falmouth graduates also feature heavily in the production’s wider creative team. Luke Harding and Kevin Johnson (Falmouth University associate lecturer) complete the cast of four with Academy of Music & Theatre Arts graduates Vicki Cox (stage manager), Heather Wallace (assistant stage manager) and Catherine Hillier (composer) working behind the scenes. Action scenes are choreographed by Keith Wallis and intimacy by Lex Kaby.
Come Out Fighting is a love story exploring male sexuality and violence. Inspired by Merimée and Bizet’s immortal Carmen, the play follows Corporal Joe Donaldson, whose suppressed sexuality finds vent only in violence, honed by his military training. But then he meets Carl and is propelled headlong into the world of boxing, infatuation and confusion.
Coinciding with the release of a government report into the experience of LGBTQ+ veterans, and informed by the experiences of current serving soldiers, the play explores some dark and difficult topics. It is an important piece that will open conversations, while having glimmers of lightness and humour.
To find out more and book your tickets, head to the What Now Productions website.
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