Platform Presents: An introduction to Isabella Macpherson and Gala Gordon’s boundary-breaking theatre initiative
The formidable Isabella Macpherson has been in my life in one way or another for many years. We all know someone with a natural ability to make a success out of anything they turn their hand to; Isabella is one of those people. From fashion to art and now theatre, she has an encyclopedia of hugely successful creative ventures to her name.
I wanted to dedicate this journal article to an initiative Isabella is championing alongside actor Gala Gordon – Platform Presents. Together, they’ve built a community to showcase exceptional writing and which gives rising-star actors, playwrights and directors the opportunity to network and learn from one another.
For many young writers, breaking into the world of theatre can feel like being faced with a series of closed doors, and Platform Presents are working to open them – with a particular emphasis on amplifying female voices working in the world of theatre. For those reasons, the idea really resonated with our team here at Vigour and Skills, not least because their mission fits perfectly with our ethos of supporting talented independent artists and artisans.
Platform Presents started out producing play readings, poetry evenings and plays in theatres across London. Fast forward to 2020, when the theatre world is struggling to survive, venues are closing and jobs are being cut, and Platform Presents are making the best of the situation by bringing the theatre experience to us all – to be enjoyed from the comfort of our own homes. Read on to find out more details, reviews and testimonials of the pair’s latest project, Good Grief – I can assure you you’ll want to watch it.
Beatrice x
Good Grief: a romantic comedy about grief
Platform Presents’ latest piece of work, Good Grief, is an online production (co-produced by Isabella and Gala and Amy Gardner at Finite Films) which melds theatre and screen techniques to create a new, innovative theatrical format. Following the success of their last online, live version of Tom Stoppard’s ‘A Separate Peace’, Good Grief will stream online and be downloadable worldwide, generating much-needed revenue for those whose livelihoods have been so negatively affected by the pandemic.
Sian Clifford (best known for her BAFTA-winning, Emmy and Critics Choice Award nominated performance as Claire, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s uptight sister in Fleabag) and Nikesh Patel (Foaly in Artemis Fowl, directed by Kenneth Branagh) are the central stars.
Directed by Natalie Abrahami (Anna at the National Theatre, and Machinal at The Almeida), and written by Lorien Haynes, Good Grief is a romantic comedy about bereavement which is sharp, funny, brutal, irreverent and quintessentially British. Rehearsed on Zoom, then filmed in a studio adhering to all Covid protocols, Sian describes Good Grief as:
“Neither film nor theatre, it’s a hybrid that’s why it’s so thrilling to be part of it, something that is so innovative and has been born entirely of this chaos. It’s really thrilling, a bit of a brain maze, structured around the stages of grief. I always said it would take a lot to get me back on stage, but the play blew me away, I absolutely tore through it, it made me weep. And I loved the idea of doing something radical and helping save our industry and to keep people engaged with the arts.”
Platform Presents will launch new ticket prices on Monday 18th Jan at 9am. Standard tickets will go on sale for £15, with concession tickets priced at £10 (for NHS & Key Workers, students, under 25’s, and anyone on Universal Credit.) Click here to purchase yours.
They will also give 10% of all profits to the NHS and 10% to Macmillan Cancer Care.
Tickets available from originaltheatreonline.com and atgtickets.com
Read what people are saying about Platform Presents
“Any kind of platform that gives an opportunity for new, young voices to be heard in an industry that can so often seem completely impenetrable is fantastic. And already we have seen Platform Presents have great successes in catapulting writers to where they should be and encouraged and nurtured.”
Rhys Ifans
“I found Platform Presents absolutely fantastic. I think Gala and Bella are really people to watch. They’re so organised, so passionate. It’s been a total dream, I hope to do more with them.”
Polly Stenham
“You were extraordinarily patient and professional throughout, I can’t tell you how much I admire your coolness and your persistence.”
Robert Schenkkan
