Synopsis:
SYNOPSIS MATTIE BEANCOURT, a 61 year old woman, reads the autobiography of MARK GORMAN, a famous painter. Having grown up in the same East End streets she writes to him. A correspondence develops. She visits him unannounced, and discovers he lives in near poverty and neglect.
Her personality is sunny, his is curmudgeonly. Their impact upon each other is startling
Excerpt:
"…I was an appendage for him. Something stuck on, but not special. He didn't need me. There was never any real passion there. To live a whole life knowing you were not special for anyone…craving it … to be loved and special. Just once in my life, before I die…"
Originally commissioned in 2001 for Radio 4. Subsequently restructured for the stage.
