Definitely Louise

‘Definitely Louise’ is the debut theatre show written and performed by Heath Netherton.

Receiving rave reviews upon its premiere at Frome Festival with two sold-out dates before moving onto Brighton Fringe and then a month-long run at the Gilded Balloon for Edinburgh Fringe, Definitely Louise is coming to London at the Hope Theatre, Islington.

“Heath writes with brio and performs with a powerful combination of wit and raw emotion”

SUNDAY TIMES ****

“Her performance is electrifying from the first moment…Heath’s portrayal is one of extraordinary power and range…here is a person of startling talent”

THEATRE BATH

Definitely Louise explores the vulnerabilities and self-esteem issues that underlie even the most confident veneers. With a growing understanding of the true extent of undiagnosed ASD, particularly in women, and the masking techniques developed in order to survive, Netherton looks at what it’s like to try to navigate a neurotypical world before you realise you’re outside of it.

When nothing makes sense, who do you blame? Yourself or everyone else?

From the comfort of her flat, an excitable, precocious, irrepressible woman with a dirty mouth and a lot to say, discusses life, her many opinions and her best friend, all the while avoiding the advances of her over-eager neighbour. At times both funny and moving, the piece explores themes of confidence and insecurities, friendship and loss, and finding your way in the modern world through a neurodiverse lens.

Reflecting on the experience of living with undiagnosed neurodiversity as a young woman in today’s society, Heath Netherton explores the pressures and expectations placed on us to strive for, want and be everything whilst not quite understanding what that is. The need to be exceptional in order to belong and the anxiety and disappointments that develop with it.

“You’re supposed to be totally-f**king crazy when you’re young! Crazy, but in a fun way”

Aliceis a ballsy, no-nonsense woman ready to tear into anything and anyone she deems ‘a fucking idiot’. Through an hour she hilariously lambasts everything from detox diets and ghosting to the audition process leaving no-one safe from her acid tongue and quick put-downs. Discussing mental health, charity work and social media she indiscriminately derides the idiocy of the very generation that she so desperately wants to be accepted by.

“There’s a wit and audacity to Heath’s writing for sure, her emotional attachment to the material is flawless”

THE STAGE

“Powerful, emotional and dramatic. Her ability to hold an audience like that is one of wonder.”

SCOTSGAY ****

Heath Netherton has previously been seen starring as one of the 6 wives of Henry VIII in the highly acclaimed Regina Monologues, which won the Best Theatre award at Shaftesbury Fringe. She has also starred in the feature film The Ketamine Diaries and the upcoming Kirsty’s Promise and recently won Best Actor for the horror short Black As Before at the Pompeywood Film Festival.

Additional cast:

Christopher Sherwood @C_A_Sherwood

Alexandra Ricou @alexandra_ricou

Hope Theatre, Islington

19^th and 20^th November 2023

Tickets:

http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/207-upper-street/the-hope-theatre/definitely-louise/e-jdxbgx

Instagram: @hethneth

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