English actress Charlotte Palmer is bringing her one-woman show The Invisible Woman is not InvisibleB次元官网网址 sheB次元官网网址檚 merely over 50! to various cities on Vancouver Island, with help from her long-time friend, Comox ValleyB次元官网网址檚 Juno Award-winning songwriter, Helen Austin.
The Invisible Woman will be in Nanaimo on Nov. 16 (), Victoria on Nov. 17 (), Nov. 18 in Qualicum Beach (The Village Theatre, email micksherlock58@gmail.com for tickets), Nov. 19 in Tofino (), at the on Nov. 22, and at in Port Alberni, Nov. 23.
Palmer will conclude her Vancouver Island tour with two shows - Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 - at the Old Church Theatre in Courtenay. ()
Austin met Palmer in London, England, back in 1986 at university when they bonded over their love of flute playing.
They went on to spend several years performing street theatre together in the famous Covent Garden street theatre pitches under the name Flutes R Us. It was in those shows that Palmer taught Austin to find her comedy voice. Their performance was a mix of fabulous flute duets with clown-like choreography and silly banter.
They eventually went their separate ways with Austin moving on to comedy and then settling in Canada with her musical career. Palmer went on to pursue her love of acting where she had many successful years on stage and screen, performing alongside notable actors such as Simon Pegg, Ricky Gervais and Dawn French.
After decades in the spotlight, Charlotte suddenly became invisible. What had she done to bring this about? She had the audacity to turn 50.
B次元官网网址淲hat happened was, just after her 50th birthday, her agent dropped her, just saying B次元官网网址楾here arenB次元官网网址檛 parts for women of your age,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址 said Austin. B次元官网网址淪o the show has a lot of information about that. She comes from a comedic background and street theatre background, so it is a very physical show. But it is a fact of what happens to women in the acting business.
B次元官网网址淪he decided that B次元官网网址榳ell if thereB次元官网网址檚 no work, IB次元官网网址檓 going to create my own work.B次元官网网址 So she booked a theatre back where she lives.B次元官网网址
As soon as Austin saw the production, she knew she had to help Palmer bring it to Vancouver Island.
B次元官网网址淚 watched it, and I loved it - I was just laughing and smilingB次元官网网址 I thought it was clever, and funny, and poignant, and I thought it would be perfect for here because the audiences are very good about joining in here.B次元官网网址
When Palmer visited Austin last summer, Austin talked her into bringing the show to Canada.
B次元官网网址淚 talked to Doug Cox (Old Church Theatre manager) about it, and he said B次元官网网址榃hy donB次元官网网址檛 we put it together hereB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址 so that was our jumping off point, was booking the Old Church. From there I looked at other venues that could be (appropriate).
B次元官网网址淏ecause it has music numbers and audience participation numbers, I just thought it would be good in the smaller venues.B次元官网网址
Austin has had extensive promotional experience, as she manages her own tours, as well as those of her band, Big Little Lions (duo with Paul Otten), but this is the first time she is handling someone elseB次元官网网址檚 tour.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 easier, but harder, as well,B次元官网网址 she said. B次元官网网址淓asier, because I get to promote somebody else, and itB次元官网网址檚 way easier to promote somebody else, rather than yourself. But itB次元官网网址檚 harder because you donB次元官网网址檛 want to let them down, particularly in this case. She is new to the territory and I want to show her how awesome everybody isB次元官网网址 so I need people to show up. Because Canadian audiences are so different than British ones. They are just a lot more accepting, and looser (in Canada), and less of a coolness in a good way. Canadian audiences are just more open to things, and I just want Charlotte to experience that, the way I did when I first got here.B次元官网网址
PalmerB次元官网网址檚 television credits are extensive, with appearances in such English staples as Eastenders and Coronation Street. She has also had roles in Prime Suspect 73, Ab Fab, The Vicar of Dibley and Ricky GervaisB次元官网网址檚 Extras.
The Invisible Woman is not InvisibleB次元官网网址 sheB次元官网网址檚 merely over 50! Canadian tour is exclusive to Vancouver Island.
Ticket prices vary per venue.