Blue Side Up, by Len Cuthbert

What's the History Behind this Play?

**Blue Side Up, is a rewrite of Len Cuthbert's play, delilah., that was staged in London, ON in 2012 and 2013.

*** Joe Belanger of the London Free Press called it, "An outstanding play."

*** Kristen Rosenkrantz of Theatre in London said, "A powerful, relatable story."

*** Jamie-Lee Wilson, of the Beat Magazine said it was, "Heartwarming and humourous."

In March 2011, the original play began as a 10-minute script that took North America by storm when it was selected from over 400 short plays to be staged in a festival by Rising Sun Performance Company in New York City. From there, it was performed in London, Toronto, Detroit, Massachusetts, and Montana, winning the People's Choice Award in two of those festivals.

In 2012, it was developed into a 60-minute one act play and produced at the London Fringe Festival. The London Free Press gave it a 4/5* review.

In 2013, the Ontario Arts Council provided a grant for Len Cuthbert to write it into a full length 2-act play. It was then staged in London, ON for 4 performances.

In 2014, it won a playwriting contest in NYC.

In 2016, scenes from the play were performed in the UK and the script was short listed by the Lunch Box Theatre in Calgary.

What's the Play About?

This 4-character play takes place at a small local airport. Some events of this story are influenced by events experienced and inspired by the writer, Len Cuthbert. The play follows the character, Jade, who has a history of being the victim of abandonment. As a result, her relationships with Delilah, Mick and Dee-J are both comical and stressful. Her survival mechanism is to be in control of her own life and everyone else's. But that ability to control is threatened when she faces one of the ultimate challenges in her life. Sometimes the unexpected experiences in life make it hard to keep the blue side up.

SHEDDEN Southwold Keystone 35921 Talbot Line, Shedden, ON Wed. Jun. 4: 7:00 pm Thu. Jun 5: 2:00 pm Thu. Jun 5: 7:00 pm	STRATHROY The Wright Place 13 Front Street West, Strathroy, ON Sat. Jun. 7: 2:00 pm Sat. Jun. 7: 7:00 pm Sun. Jun. 8: 2:00 pm

CREATIVE TEAM
	Fynn Cuthbert Actor BIO to come. In the meantime, visit www.FynnCuthbert.com
Haley Kriz Actor BIO to come. In the meantime, visit www.HaleyKriz.com.
	TBA Actor
TBA Actor
	Len Cuthbert Playwright Len is the founding director of Fridge Door Live Theatre Company. His plays have been produced in Canada, US and Europe. His collection of short plays about reunions, Reunited Shorts, was published by Dramatic Publishing in 2020. His script, 107, was produced at the 2021 London Fringe Festival, 2022 Toronto Fringe Festival and 2022 Newmarket International One Act Festival, and was published by Original Works Publishing in 2023. www.LenCuthbert.com

*What's the History Behind this Play?* **Blue Side Up, is a rewrite of Len Cuthbert's play, delilah., that was staged in London, ON in 2012 and 2013. * Joe Belanger of the London Free Press called it, "An outstanding play." * Kristen Rosenkrantz of Theatre in London said, "A powerful, relatable story." * Jamie-Lee Wilson, of the Beat Magazine said it was, "Heartwarming and humourous." In March 2011, the original play began as a 10-minute script that took North America by storm when it was selected from over 400 short plays to be staged in a festival by Rising Sun Performance Company in New York City. From there, it was performed in London, Toronto, Detroit, Massachusetts, and Montana, winning the People's Choice Award in two of those festivals. In 2012*, it was developed into a 60-minute one act play and produced at the London Fringe Festival. The London Free Press gave it a 4/5 review. In 2013, the Ontario Arts Council provided a grant for Len Cuthbert to write it into a full length 2-act play. It was then staged in London, ON for 4 performances. In 2014, it won a playwriting contest in NYC. In 2016, scenes from the play were performed in the UK and the script was short listed by the Lunch Box Theatre in Calgary. *What's the Play About?* This 4-character play takes place at a small local airport. Some events of this story are influenced by events experienced and inspired by the writer, Len Cuthbert. The play follows the character, Jade, who has a history of being the victim of abandonment. As a result, her relationships with Delilah, Mick and Dee-J are both comical and stressful. Her survival mechanism is to be in control of her own life and everyone else's. But that ability to control is threatened when she faces one of the ultimate challenges in her life. Sometimes the unexpected experiences in life make it hard to keep the blue side up.


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