Lorraine Smith Arts
Performance Maker
YOU CAN TAKE ME HOME TONI
“There is a huge personal, professional and emotional risk in creating a show about one’s own very personal and private life story and only the bravest of performers will take up the challenge of hanging it all out on the backyard clothesline for all to see.”
Martin T Brooks, The Reviews Hub
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“wild, slightly uncomfortable, but absolutely fascinating...Lorraine uses her spicy sense of humour and likeable personality to balance these traumas with laughs and heartfelt, relatable moments...
Although certainly not to everyone’s taste, it is undeniably a brave, committed and considered show which brings to light universal issues in a deeply personal way. Lorraine’s performative presence is electric, and if you’re willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone, YCTMHT is sure to provide an unforgettable night.”
Pagan Hunt, Commotion
2024 TOURING:
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9th & 10th November, The Cockpit, Voila! Theatre Festival 2024, UK
27th & 28th July, Durham Fringe Festival 2024, UK
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PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES:
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30th & 31st August 2023, Telephonfabriken, Stockholm Fringe Festival 2023
8th November 2023, Creative Centre, York St John University
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Please email lorraine_smith@hotmail.co.uk to request a production pack / make a booking enquiry.
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Lorraine has a secret, an embarrassing obsession. And she is ready to out herself to you.
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Lorraine is a massive Toni Basil fan and LOVES the Word of Mouth video album! Come pinball through cheesy pop songs, cracked memories, and outrageously honest and comedic stories of trauma and ecstasy. It’s clear this fandom is more than crimped hair and glitter spray!
Get ready for Avant Garde costumes, eclectic movement, lip synching and audience interaction, as we plunge down the spiral slide of tangled memories and 80s nostalgia. Yes, pop icons can really change lives!
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YCTMHT is an autobiographical alternative theatre show led by personal stories that explore Lorraine's connection to 80s pop icon Toni Basil and her Word-of-Mouth video album. At the heart of the work is the concept of shame and how pop icons can empower us to embrace our past transgressions and embarrassing moments, explore our identities and achieve self-acceptance.
The work fuses theatre, ​dance, lip synchs, cabaret, poetry, unique wearable art costumes, stunning visuals and ethical audience participation. Audiences will be equally entertained and challenged by outrageously honest (at times taboo breaking) personal stories relating to sexual assault, child trauma, coming of age, homophobia, questioning sexuality, body shaming and female taboos.
This piece is fun, emotive, at times shocking and confronting, comedic, and reflects the audience’s own bodies and (queer) experiences through identification in a shared humanity. Overall, the show is a celebratory, impactful and visually dynamic performance that will give audiences a unique live theatre experience.
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PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR LIVE ART & CABARET ALTERNATIVES, & HERE FOR ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
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[Play in 1080p50HD for best viewing quality]
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TESTIMONIALS:
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“Once on stage, Lorraine Smith takes no hostages in the mixed-media and costume change
smorgasbord that is, “YCTMHT”. Smith’s ability to demand attention and get the audience onboard their beautifully crafted story goes hand in hand with carefully executed storytelling that touches on hard-to-digest topics of a dark nature. There’s something disarming, likeable and very much thought-provoking about this personal performance. “YCTMHT” is what the Fringe arena was made for.”
Adam Potrykus (Co-Founder / Co-Director - Stockholm Fringe Festival & Baltic Nordic Fringe Network)
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'Brave, bold, uncompromising, daring, innovative, Avant Garde.”
Angeline Lucas FRSA (Founder/Director - North East Dance Co-operative)
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"Highly visual & personally powerful yet playful interactive performance.”
Phil Douglas (Founder & Executive Producer - Curious Arts, Programmes Director - Yorkshire Dance)
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“Excellent, funny, touching and intellectually stimulating.”
Audience Member
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“I went to see the performance YCTMHT a few days ago in the university I study at. In fact, I was the woman dancing/cheerleading for the Mickey part! I have no words but to say it was absolutely amazing and such a beautiful way of use of costumes, interactions, projections, lighting, sound… EVERYTHING!”
Audience Member
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“This was such a great performance, changed my perspective. Thank you!”
Audience Member
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Concept/Script/Choreography: Lorraine Smith
Performer: Lorraine Smith
Dramaturg/interactive stage manager: Patricia Verity Suarez
Costume designer: Daphne Karstens
Sound artist: Peter Heselton
Visual artist: Emily Bailey
Poetry: Harry Man
Producing company: Moving Art Management
Outside eye: Jennifer Essex
Photographer: Rachel Deakins
R&D performance assistant: Alyssa Lisle
R&D photographer: David Griffiths
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*Performance developed in collaboration with all artists.
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Funded by Arts Council England.
Awarded a Dance City Early Stage Commission.
Supported by Teesside University & ARC - Stockton Arts Centre.
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The R&D stage of the project was supported by Teesside University, Curious Arts & Pineapple Black Gallery.
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CONTENT WARNINGS
This production includes adult content, offensive & sexually explicit language, and stories of sexual assault & harassment, genital injury, childhood trauma, homophobia & body shaming.
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Please find a list of UK organisations & charities for the above issues:
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AVA - Against violence & abuse
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