The Amazing And Preposterous Constance Smedley

Not quite a world premiere – the play had a brief and successful outing at the Cheltenham Everyman in 2010 – The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley is an original play by local author Frank Hatt.

The play is based on events in the life of Constance Smedley, novelist, journalist, illustrator, playwright, theatre-worker and founder of the International Lyceum Club for Women Writers and Artists. It spans the period 1903 – 1915.

‘Connie’ is of particular interest because for part of her life she lived in Minchinhampton and it was during this time that she staged the huge Pageant of Progress involving over a thousand local people. It was this pageant that led to the formation of the Cotswold Players in Stroud, in 1911, an episode that forms part of the play.

Lively and entertaining throughout, the play is a great opportunity to find out more about a very early pioneer of the women’s movement.