Original cast recording? You bet. All seven of Flloyd's original songs, recorded at Crosstown Studio, Liverpool, in 2019.
About the show: Ride along with Dame June Bloom on a journey through the seven ages of woman with sonnets, songs and stories. Life as a touring actor has taught this poet, scholar, raconteur and singer-songwriter a few things, and while she might be getting on, no-one puts Grandma in the corner.
Written and performed by Flloyd Kennedy (with William Shakespeare), directed by Ira Seidenstein (Cirque du Soleil, Slava Snow Show
Audience response, 23 November 2019
"Flloyd Kennedy's show is full of inspirational fun and songs wound around an educational glimpse at Shakespeare's sonnets, giving the audience a fresh insight into the beautifully performed poems. The Bard would love it!"
"I loved the rap. Clearly, Shakespeare was a rapper in his day. He loved words - the sound and shape, the taste of words. Your portrayal of the sonnets showed us this. Thanks!"
London - "loved the ballsy hiphop" "infectious!" "enjoyed unpacking of the sonnets" "a wonderful journey" "she is just a great performer"
Siân Rowland, LondonPubTheatres. says: "Flloyd Kennedy twinkles and twirls in peacock blue (with matching nail polish) and takes the audience on an hour-long romp through her character’s life. I probably learned more about some of the Bard’s best known sonnets in that one hour than I did in the whole of my school career. We were schooled in quatrains and rhyming couplets, imagery and structure. Kennedy clearly adores his work.
"Just as we’re drawn into Shakespeare’s most sublime verse, out comes the ukulele and we’re transported from an outback dunny to the local dance via some musings on life, love, parenting and grandkids." - You can read the full review here
New York - ***** "Ukulele at the ready, June Bloom calls forth beautifully delivered Shakespearean sonnets as she transports her suitcase and her niggling mummy issues across the stages of life. Rap on, Dame June!"
"Flloyd Kennedy's Yes, Because... is mesmerising, especially as it's laced with Shakespeare Sonnets! The vocal pitch range she uses in the course of the show sets a brilliant example for young students who tend to stay within a very small compass."
"For an evening of laughter, whimsy and wit don't miss "Yes, Because...", Flloyd Kennedy's solo show. You'll spend an hour with a woman who will charm and touch you, make you giggle and guffaw, and do it while offering a refreshing, gently eccentric exploration of some Shakespeare sonnets. She sings and plays the ukulele, ponders life and family and British Pantomime - and every moment is delightfully, deliciously entertaining. I loved it!"
Brisbane – **** "Yes, Because... is witty, quirky and intelligent. A genuinely entertaining piece, raw and inextricably funny... Clowning around, switching accents and performing eclectic parodies delighted the audience who responded with bellows of laughter and cheer" Sally Peters, ArtsHub. Scroll down the page for the full review.
Brisbane –“gorgeously vulnerable and funny.”
Melbourne – “one of the most engaging and rewarding pieces of theatre I have seen for a very long time. I found it startlingly and brilliantly unsafe.
Liverpool – “I was captivated… June’s storytelling and songs had me both laughing and crying in equal measure”
Southend – “not-to-be-missed poetic, charming and unique piece of theatre”
Brisbane – “See it! It’s funny! She immediately puts her audience at their ease and walks them down a journey of pain and hilarity.”
Includes unlimited streaming of Yes! Because... the songs
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
I wish I were adopted almost every day
Then my real live mother, would
come 'n' take me away
She love me and she'd care for me,
she'd read to me each night
She'd let me sleep till lunchtime and
she'd never turn out the light.
CHORUS:
Oh, I'm telling you, something's very wrong
I shouldn't be here, I do not belong.
This family is really weird,
they kidnapped me at birth
Coz I'm the child of the totally wild
Queen of Middle Earth.
I'm sure I was adopted, I heard my mother say
She never wanted children, they just get in the way.
She tries to lie and tell me that "I'm so glad I have you"
She's such a clever actress but I know it's not true
I know I was adopted, I feel it in my bones
My mother really hates me, She never leaves me alone
She talks to all my teachers And she believes it's true
That homework and broccoli Are really good for you.
CHORUS
I feel that I’m adopted, almost all the time
I think I'll have to run away, it would be sublime
To find my proper mother, who'd always let me play
With water, and with matches and in the drive-way!
I'm sure that I'm adopted, It has to be the truth
My fake mum's really ruthless,
While I'm just FULL of ruth
My real mum's on her way here,
I'm sure it won't be long
In fact, she's coming through that door
Before I finish this song [PAUSE]
Oh, I'm telling you, something's very wrong
I shouldn't be here, I do not belong.
This family is really weird, they kidnapped me at birth
Coz I'm the fairest,
long lost dearest
Sweet and lovely
Cute and cuddly
I’m the child of the totally wild
Queen of Middle Earth.
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
