Jessica Clark (Versailles, BBC2/ Canal+; The Wife of Willesden, Kiln Theatre; Rotterdam, Trafalgar Studios) has been awarded a Stage Edinburgh Award for her performance in contemporary fast-paced thriller SAP. Clark plays alongside Rebecca Banatvala (Much Ado About Nothing, RSC; The Princess Switch 3, Netflix; The Syndicate, BBC). Directed by Offie-nominated Jessica Lazar (Anna Bella Eema, Arcola Theatre; Outlying Islands, King’s Head Theatre; Life According to Saki, Edinburgh Fringe/New York Theatre Workshop 4th Street Theatre) this critically acclaimed debut play by Rafaella Marcus, presented by award-winning Atticist, Ellie Keel Productions and MAST Mayflower Studios in association with 45North, is a queer urban fable about bisexuality and what we allow people to believe. In Anya Ryan’s Guardian review she praises the show as, a glorious tapestry of a play.
The Stage Edinburgh Awards are presented throughout the festival. They are not defined by category but recognise an outstanding performance at the Fringe. In Lyn Gardner’s review for The Stage, she commented The writing is both lyrical and sometimes slyly funny… Jessica Lazar’s staging keeps things pacey , and for 70 minutes Jessica Clark holds the audience and the space like a water lilly in full bloom.
Jessica Lazar, director of SAP and joint Artistic Director of Atticist comments, Jessica has been a part of SAP since we first began working with Rafaella Marcus on their amazing debut play. The character grew around her performance, the play developed with her input. She and Rebecca tell a gripping and necessary story together, with a light touch that belies the strength of their control. Jessica’s talent is extraordinary, and it is matched by her professionalism and generosity. The whole company is utterly delighted.
Jessica Clark comments, I’m so touched. I want to share this with all the audiences who’ve been moved by Raf’s incredible play, and with my absolute co-legend Rebecca Banatvala. Huge thanks and love to the amazing team who’ve made this show what it is: Raf, Jess, Charlotte, David, Ellie, Tom, Rūta, Jen, Jordan, Tash, Lucy, our co-producers and the rest of the army of people it takes to make a play work. Thank you so much to The Stage – this is so kind, and means so much.
When a woman tells a lie to her girlfriend, a seed is planted that starts to grow in the darkness. Now roots are cracking up through the pavement and branches are coming in at the windows, and – as she starts to see things that no one else can – she becomes the focus of some seriously unwanted attention. The play draws inspiration from the myth of ‘Daphne and Apollo’. It will be performed in the round and feature an original score, immersing audiences in a world that is The Song of Achilles meets Killing Eve.
Rafaella Marcus is a 2021 MGCFutures bursary winner and JMK Award Finalist. Her work focuses on bringing marginalised voices to the stage, especially women. SAP is produced by Atticist, a 10-time Offie-nominated company, Southampton MAST and EKP (Ellie Keel Productions); in 2022 EKP was shortlisted for Producer of the Year in The Stage Awards.
