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
Two songs - because the 14 year old wallflower at her first dance gives her older self a reminder of where she might have gone wrong.
lyrics
Do you see me? Am I really here?
Can you hear me? Could I be more clear?
If you [touched me, would I survive?
How can I thrive when my skin is so alive?
Could you want me? What a question’s that?
Would you haunt me if I turned my back?
Hoping, dreading, longing for the chance
To find out what the books mean
When they speak of romance.
When will it be my turn to dance the night away
With a boy who isn’t pimply – a boy who isn’t gay?
I want a boy, but not any boy will do.
It must be a boy who looks – like…
You don’t see me. I’m not really here.
I can’t hear you – my ears are full of fear.
You are walking up to me – to ask me for the name
Of the girl who stands and twirls into your
arms and I will prove again that
I am the greatest giver-upper in the world
When it comes to resignation,
I claim the designation.
I’ve given up on diets, I’ve given up on men
I’ve even given up on myself - now and then.
I’ve given up on sport, the other kids were just too rough
I’ve given up on ballet, my legs just weren’t long enough
I gave up on piano, when they took my prize away
And I gave up tap dancing, couldn’t make it pay.
Oh yes, I am the greatest giver-upper in the world
If there’s defeat around,
I’ll take it, lying down.
Of losers I’m the queen, I’m the best that’s ever been
And if you don’t believe me, I will show you what I mean…
I’ve given up on yoga, couldn’t hold a pose for long
I gave up doing weights – my muscles don’t like being strong!
When jogging was in fashion, my knees couldn’t take the strain
And I gave up bike riding, falling off caused too much pain.
Oh yes, I am the greatest giver-upper in the world
My failure rate’s so high, eagles cheer as it flies by
And I don’t know how to Stop
Being such a stunning Flop
So I guess I’ll keep on giving up until the day I drop.
I gave up writing plays – no one wants to see ‘em
My characters are so far-fetched, no one want to be ‘em
I gave up singing opera – my high notes would crack your spe-e-e-e-ecs!
And I gave up singing jazz coz my low notes were too sexy…
Oh yes, I am the greatest giver-upper in the world
If there’s defeat around,
I’ll take it, lying down.
Of losers I’m the queen, I’m the best that’s ever been
And if you don’t believe me, I will show you what I mean –
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