For Emily at the Lantern

For Emily is a new play from Liverpool born actor, writer and director Brian Wharton. It tells the story of a little girl who escapes into a fantasy world whilst watching her mother subjected to domestic abuse. Child and mother take shelter in a woman’s refuge where they meet the mysterious Sue, who acts as a friend and mother to them both. The play builds to climax as both mother and father battle for custody of Emily, with Sue caught inbetween. Wharton began writing in 1990, when he and an ensemble of new playwrights from the Hope Street Project put on a collection of 10 minute shorts at the Unity Theatre. Encouraged by this he went on to write, produce and direct his first full length play Horoscope (Horror-Scope) for two productions there the following year. Several rehearsed readings followed whilst he continued to perform, and he took his one man show Footballer’s Boyfriend to the Edinburgh Festival in 2007. In recent years he has had a go at stand up comedy and become a monologist. He also does work with a mental health charity where he has run a drama group and penned two short plays on subjects close to his heart, one about shaking off stigma and the other about the struggle service users have in gaining meaningful employment. Catch the premiere of For Emily next week at the Lantern on November 29 and 30. Tickets are available through their website.