Room: A Room of One's Own

"Outstanding" Fringe Review (Brighton)

A dramatic interpretation of Virginia Woolf's iconic lectures.

A Room of One's Own is an extended essay by Virginia Woolf based on a series of lectures she delivered at Newnham and Girton women's Colleges in Cambridge in 1928. A Room Of One's Own is an iconic feminist text championing the need for both a literal and figural space (Room) and financial independence for women writers within a literary tradition dominated by patriarchy.

Adapted, written and performed by Heather Alexander

Directed by Dominique Gerrard

★★★★ "a refined, intimate, and literary pleasure" North West End UK

Heather Alexander's unique dramatic interpretation of Virginia Woolf's A Room Of One's Own explores Woolf's fundamental ideas about gender, creativity and thwarted opportunity. The play explores Woolf's ideas in a bold and provocative production where we experience the narrator moving seamlessly between her study, lecture room, the British Museum and Oxbridge locations as she forms her ideas from her stream-of-consciousness musings. The text remains as relevant and important today as it invites the audience to reflect upon what and how much has changed?

All the famous passages from the essay are here: the realisation that poverty is a serious bar to women writing (still widely relevant today), the story of Shakespeare's sister, and the realisation that in fiction women must exist in relation to the world and each other, and not just as foils for men. That's the Bechdel Test, many years early.

Watch the trailer here for ROOM

The Reviews

★★★★ "A beautiful portrayal by an accomplished actor at the top of her game." British Theatre Guide

Highly Recommended  "Alexander's fine performance is searing and visceral. This is a poised and provocative evening… It is a performance full of bravado and rich ideas that leaves the modern audience with much to reflect upon." Fringe Review (Hastings)

★★★★ "Heather Alexander lit up the stage as she portrayed one of the most fearless female writers in history." Broadway Baby

★★★★ "Alexander, as Room's writer, delivers a linguistic treat. The language is a joy to hear. As a performer, Alexander is a delight to watch. Her assured performance is pitch perfect, and her nuanced vocal delivery brings the rich language to life." Review Hub

★★★★ "This is a wonderful theatrical representation of a timeless essay." Wee Review

★★★★ "Refreshingly unsentimental, passionate & utterly absorbing... Feminism, class & artistic freedom are debated in this brilliantly detailed portrait of a formidable intellect." Fringe Biscuit

All tickets include a £1 admin charge

Approx running time 1 hour 20

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The Company

Heather Alexander is a successful actress, writer, and producer with a long list of stage, TV and film credits. Recently she has been performing ROOM, and Shirley Valentine to packed houses, and she is also the driving force behind the Hastings Fringe and Theatre Festivals.

Dominique Gerrard is a dramaturg and director working largely with writers on developing new plays. Recent credits include award winning production Quintessence (Emily Carding), SOE & A Necessary Woman (both for Clair Obscur Theatre) and Heather's previous work Room (Emul8). She runs Hastings Meisner and Vital Theatre.

EMUL8 Theatre seeks to explore the human condition through theatre that is ambitious and experimental but always accessible. We seek to expose, stimulate and challenge whilst never forgetting to entertain and avoid pretension, boredom and elitism. We seek to open a dialogue by exploring the space between laughter and pain; truth and fiction; fact and fantasy. We are completely inclusive and welcome creative collaboration with all mediums.