Joe Carstairs On Tour

OUR APPEAL

We have produced the beautiful new play 'Joe Carstairs'. It was performed at Omnibus Theatre - London as part of the 96 Festival, celebrating Pride Month for a 3-week run (4 to 22 June 2024). The show was then transferred to Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight. The cost for the entire process of creating the show and the run at Omnibus Theatre (May to June 2024) have only been partly funded by Arts Council England. The run at Quay Arts (3 to 5 July 2024) was made possible by kind support from individual donors and sponsors. And we are still fundraising. 

The arts have been badly hit in the past few years and we need your help towards paying freelancers, ensuring that individual creatives are paid fairly in this tough time for the arts. We also need your support towards the production's engagement with diverse communities and chorus as part of our planned national tour in 2025. So, anything you can contribute, will help immensely. 

The challenges we are facing are unprecedented, and without the generosity of donors like you, our ability to create and share meaningful theatre experiences may be jeopardized. 

Thank you for considering our appeal and for being a champion for the arts during these challenging times.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on our ability to bring our vision to life, support our talented freelance artists, and maintain the high standards of our productions. As a token of our appreciation, we are offering various rewards and benefits for our donors, including a private live performance by members of the cast, a signed copy of our award winner book Out On An Island, and lunch with the writers, amongst others. 

We believe that theatre has the power to unite, educate, and inspire, and with your support, we can continue to create unforgettable experiences that resonate with our audiences. 

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the magic of theatre continues to thrive in the UK. 

The first £4,000 that we raise will be match funded by an individual donor who agreed to match any donation pound for pound (up to £4,000). Please help us to reach that target soon!

JOE CARSTAIRS - A HIDDEN ICON

Joe Carstairs, born Marion Barbara Carstairs in 1900, was a wealthy and eccentric British heiress who lived a most adventurous and unconventional life. They rejected their birth name and adopted a new name: 'Joe' Carstairs. A pioneering speedboat racer in the 1920s and 1930s, Carstairs set numerous records and became known as the fastest woman on water. They lived openly as a lesbian at a time when homosexuality was still largely taboo and was known for her daring exploits and glamorous lifestyle. Carstairs was a larger-than-life figure who defied societal norms and lived life on their own terms. 

You can read more about Joe Carstairs in our multi-award winner book (Isle of Wight Book Of The Year and Best Non-Fiction Book) 'Out On An Island, The Isle of Wight's Hidden Lgbtq+ History, People, Places, and Real-life Stories' available online and from most bookshops. Or get a signed copy here by pledging your support to our project.

JOE CARSTAIRS - THE PRODUCTION

“It is the world that must change, not I.”

In the midst of the roaring twenties, Joe Carstairs emerged as a rebellious force, defying societal expectations to become a war hero and the fastest boat-racer of her generation. But steering against the expectations of their class and culture came at a cost, with the tides of destiny propelling them in unexpected directions.

Cut to present day, when Hik, a tenacious young playwright from humble origins, grapples with their own defiant spirit. After meeting strong-willed Tee at a writing workshop, they are presented with the opportunity to craft a play about Carstairs, but find their own identity questioned when tradition collides with progress. It seems their societal norms are not all that different from their idol’s 100 years earlier.

StoneCrabs Theatre’s new drama Joe Carstairs unleashes a highly charged fusion of movement, words and music that brings one of the 20th century’s boldest queer figures into sharp relief. This unforgettable show challenges conventions, sparks inspiration, and leaves you pondering the meaning of personal freedom in a world determined to conform.

We started rehearsals for this pertinent show in May 2024. A group of inspirational creatives delved into Carstairs’s life and produced StoneCrabs’ most ambitious show to date. The show headlined Omnibus Theatre's 96 Festival - A glittering celebration of queerness and theatre to mark Pride Month (https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/joe-carstairs/). It was then transferred to Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight. CLICK HERE to watch the BBC South News' article about Joe and our show.  

“It adroitly shifts between characters and centuries incorporating song, humour and mime to tell its story. More people should see it.” 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Green Room Reviews

"It is beautifully acted, not least by Rhiannon Bell, whose performance as Carstairs is as bright and blistering as Carstairs’ life.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Green Room Reviews

"ingenious and very effective"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Reviews Gate

"an interesting and challenging offering" 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  The Reviews Gate 

"this very enjoyable production did a wonderful job telling a multifaceted tale with skill and grace"
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ A Youngish Perspective

"The directors find ingenious and entertaining ways to merge two stories into one coherent piece" 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ London Pub Theatres 

THE TEAM BEHIND THE PRODUCTION

JOE CARSTAIRS ON TOUR

After the run at Omnibus Theatre - London, we took Joe Carstairs back home to the Isle of Wight (Quay Arts 3 to 5 July 2024). We are now planning a national tour (2025), and we need you help. 

By supporting our project, you will be enabling more people to engage with an important piece of work that challenges conventions, sparks pertinent discussions and enables a very diverse group of creatives to share their talents with a larger number of audiences. 

Intrinsic to the production, is the engagement of our ‘Community Chorus’. A talented group of 13 young creatives performed in the production as the ‘London Chorus’. On the Isle of Wight, a local group of young islanders became the 'Isle of Wight Chorus’ gaining invaluable experience working alongside creatives at the top of their game. When the show goes on a national tour, we will engage with diverse groups and a local chorus will perform in each location.  This is an invaluable opportunity for young creatives to gain experience in a professional setting. 

THE REWARDS - OUR THANKS TO YOU

£10 or more

A thank you shout out on our website

We want to let everyone know about your important contribution and will name you on our website. If you wish to of course.

If you would like to be named on our website, please let us know your name and email address. 

£25 or more

A thank you shout out on our website + 1 ticket

A thank you on our website + 1 ticket for Joe Carstairs at  Quay Arts (3 to 5 July 2024).

If you would like to be named on our website (and also to receive your ticket), please let us know your name and email address. 

Please note that we have now finished our runs in London and on the Isle of Wight. And although everyone is welcome to donate £25, the ticket part of this reward is no longer available.  

£40 or more

A copy of The Queen of Whale Cay

The book (in paperback) by Kate Summerscale, courtesy of Medina Publishing, telling 'The Extraordinary Story of Joe Carstairs' (sent by post to the UK only).

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can post your reward to you. 

£60 or more

Out On An Island Book

A signed copy of our multi-award winner book Out On An Island. Which amongst others, tells the story of Joe Carstairs. (sent by post to the UK only).

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can post your reward to you. 

£100 or more

Recorded thank you song

Recorded thank you song by members of the cast (sent via link).

Please let us know your name and email address so we can email a link for you to access your reward.  

£250 or more

Meal for 2 

1 x meal for 2, courtesy of The King & Co Clapham.

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can post your reward to you.  

£500 or more

Lunch meeting with the writers

Visit to The Classic Boat Museum (East Cowes, Isle of Wight) to see the world's largest collection on Joe Carstairs followed with Lunch with the writers. On a date to be mutually agreed between 11 July to 31 August 2024 (On Tuesdays and Fridays between the hours  10am - 4pm and Saturdays between the hours 11am - 4pm). 

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can organise your reward with you. 

This reward to be claimed/used by 31 August 2024. Please note that this reward includes entry to The Classic Boat Museum and lunch. Any other expenses (including but not limited to travel) is not included. 

£1,000 or more

2-days getaway to Isle of Wight

A lovely 2-days getaway trip to Isle of Wight (between 3 to 6 July 2024) for 2. Including ferry, accommodation for 2 (Shared room, including breakfast, for 2 nights in Newport), 1 x afternoon tea for 2, courtesy of One Holyrood Café Newport.

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can organise your reward with you. 

Please note that this reward includes ferry, accommodation for 2 (Shared room, including breakfast, for 2 nights in Newport) and 1 x afternoon tea for 2. Any other expenses (including but not limited to other travel and meals costs) is not included. 

£2,000 or more

Private live performance

A selection of songs from the show including hits from the 20s/30s and contemporary songs performed cabaret style for up to 1 hour (between 11am and 6pm), by 2 members of the cast (our wonderful and multitalented Musical Director/Performer and Writer/Performer) at your own home (anywhere in England), on a date to be mutually agreed between 11 July to 31 August 2024. Alternative dates might be available subject to artists availability and mutual agreement. You might want to invite family and friends to enjoy this unique experience.

Please let us know your name, email and postal address so we can organise your reward with you. 

This reward to be claimed/used by 31 August 2024 - Alternative dates might be available subject to artists availability and mutual agreement. 

Please note that this reward is to be performed at a residential setting. Commercial and/or public venues are not allowed. In order to deliver this reward, we will need access to electric socket/s to plug a keyboard and an amplifier. 

YOUR SUPPORT WILL ENABLE MORE PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF WORK. THANK YOU!

We would like to say a special thank you to Medina Publishing, The King & Co and One Holyrood for sponsoring our campaign.