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Free Lunch with the StenchWench

by Catherine Hoffmann

live-art, theatre

‘A cross between performance art, stand-up, a gig and a call to arms. A humorous and truly compelling performance.’

about the production

Free Lunch with the StenchWench is a rallying cry for times of brutal cuts and disparity, a solo account of shame and poverty from a personal perspective. Charting the drive for survival and fitting in, the StenchWench shares stories of an itinerate life with seven siblings in the 70's and 80's whilst precariously existing in Austerity Britain today. Cheap clothes, fleas, cold baths, and crap jobs are unleashed as she natters and sings, about how to get by whilst attempting to overcome the shame of 'lack' and celebrate our spirit of community and resistance.

about the artist

Catherine Hoffmann explores the intersection between performance, absurdity and music in solo and collaborative projects. She creates a mixture of interactive one to one performances as well as staged pieces for Art venues, festivals, galleries, cabaret, club settings, one off events and varied sites for independent and prestigious partners. She has shown work in Copenhagen, Berlin, Leipzig, Athens, The National Portrait Gallery, Latitude, Southbank Centre, Spill, Bristol Museum, Buzzcut, BAC, Steakhouse Live and Domestic II Festival, Manchester. She collaborates with Florence Peake, Dickie Beau, Home Live Art and performs internationally for Lundahl and Seitl.

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stage dimensions

width: 5 metres

height: 2 metres

depth: 5 metres

one PA system
one mic and stand
A minimum requirement of 8 Fresnels, 2 profiles,
1 hanging pendant (we provide), 2 floor stands, 1 lighting console.
A plug for a portable cooker (electric)

16 + onwards

‘A cross between performance art, stand-up, a gig and a call to arms. A humorous and truly compelling performance.’

Desperate Optimists

‘Catherine Hoffmann's StenchWench is a labour of love and hits a home run for the proletariat! If you like your shows raw, real and dipping with beauty, go see this one. It will not disappoint.’

Stacy Makishi

‘At once funny, touching and full of sadness. StenchWench focuses on a harsh hidden upbringing in the UK, marked out by class and abject poverty. Cath takes us on a journey through some very personal experiences in her childhood struggle for survival and the lengths society makes us go to appear ‘normal’.’

Gill Lloyd (Artsadmin director)

I have worked with a BSL interpreter for this production and it works well. It has also been scripted for captioning.
It is highly visual for those whoa re hard of hearing and the show uses music and text throughout for those who are visually impaired.

I provide a workshop exploring themes of survivalism and interdependency as well as a one to one piece - Soup kitchen for the Soul.
I also provide a Q and A session if wanted,

The minimum fee is £500 per night with travel costs.