HER|Fest at St Mary’s Creative Space celebrates women in theatre, showcasing bold new writing and original stories by female playwrights from across the North West.  Presented by The Boaty Theatre Company and directed by Laura J Harris, this double bill certainly delivered an evening of variety, talent and emotional depth. 

‘Home, Again’ written by Amy-Lou Harris, explores memory, trauma, longing and the struggle to reconnect. 

Jacob Conor, as George, is a captivating performer and undoubtedly one to watch. His compelling portrayal of a man grappling with PTSD and fragmented memories demonstrated remarkable emotional range and maturity, from confusion and fear to frustration and longing. His performance suggests a very bright future ahead.

Amy-Lou Harris gives a finely judged performance as Anna, finding considerable emotional weight in the character’s restraint. Her quiet strength provides a compelling counterpoint to the turbulence around her, while Harris makes the play’s smallest moments – a shared meal, a dance, a hand hold – resonate with surprising significance. These everyday rituals became the building blocks of the trust, intimacy and genuine, believable connection.

The decision to replay a key scene three times was particularly effective. Each repetition offered a different perspective, becoming a powerful representation of healing and the gradual process of reconnection. 

The second piece, ‘I Screamed’ by Maxine McCarthy, was a complete change of pace. Jane Hamlet, as Maria Alice, gave an exuberant, hilarious performance that was equally capable of delivering moments of poignancy. Childhood memories, family, grief and a love of acting are woven together with playful observations and the inventive use of ice-cream flavours as metaphors for personality and performance.

The contrast between the two plays made for a particularly engaging evening: Home, Again – intimate and emotionally charged; I Screamed –  energetic, funny and wonderfully unpredictable. Both, however, demonstrated the power of new writing to explore universal experiences in distinctive and compelling ways.

HER|Fest is a welcome platform for women’s voices and new theatrical talent across the North West, and The Boaty Theatre Company should be applauded for bringing these stories to the stage.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre – moving, funny and full of talent.