'A woman. On the line in Gallery Two of all places. I never thought I'd see the day. This is progress, my dear.'

It's 1874, and Elizabeth Thompson stuns the artistic establishment with her painting The Roll Call. Five years later, she falls two votes short of becoming the first woman elected to the Royal Academy.

In between, she shoulders the hopes and dreams of female artists across the country, while fighting for her place at a table full of top hats, neckties and mutton chop beards.

A thrilling collision of music hall, cabaret and drag king swagger, Modest tells the true story of a pioneering megastar of the Victorian art scene. Written by Ellen Brammar and with music by Rachel Barnes, it was first produced in 2023 by Middle Child in collaboration with Milk Presents at Hull Truck Theatre before touring.

About the Author

Ellen Brammar is a Hull-based writer whose other plays include I Hate Alone, also for Middle Child, which she adapted as a TV pilot for the 2020 BBC Writersroom Northern Voices programme.

Reviews

'A rollicking piece of gig theatre... a show that bubbles over with charisma... it has a fabulous drag king aesthetic and fringe energy, throwing in plenty of raunchiness, satire and poppy interludes... Brammar's script shines in its humour... it never fails to amuse'

* Guardian *

'Exceptional... a potent mix of drag, searing comedy, indignant fury and tenderness... a raucous cabaret [that] is a forensic evisceration of staid "respectability"'

* The Stage *

'A quick-witted, bawdy, diamond in the rough'

* Time Out *

'Fast-paced and funny... a story that deserves to be told'

* British Theatre Guide *

'A play that delivers punch after punch... hugely pleasurable watch'

* WhatsOnStage *

'Energetic and empowering'

* Theatre Weekly *

'A remarkable true story that is just as relevant today... there are brilliant quips relating to women's rights, which make for an entertaining performance'

* Drama & Theatre Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781839042324
Author Ellen Brammar
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 115g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 7mm