And This One’s True

by Laura Hooper

Directed by Emma Canalese

Midtown International Theater Festival, NYC

Shortlisted for Alpine Fellowship Theatre Prize

Ninety two year old Mamie Rae has reached death’s door but is reluctant to enter, despite her organs failing and turning “waxy and yellow”. She must share her extraordinary life story, with an audience ON A STAGE – it is, after all, her destiny. She needs the audience to participate, and their acceptance and admiration, before she can let go and pass on to the other side. From humble beginnings with a violent father in London, to an unlikely career as a fit model, to a farmer’s wife in New Zealand, Mamie committed herself whole heartedly to everything, and lived an extraordinary life because of it. One thing that she can’t quite commit to, is her belief in her spiritual guide, without which she is terrified of going into her looming afterlife. Using a variety of storytelling styles from sing-a-longs to audience participation to knee acting (you’ll find out!), this innovative one person show is like no other.

This solo show is based on real life conversations, events, and séances.