aAh! Magazine
You are here: Home / News / Two will clap
News

Two will clap

26th February 2013 By 0 167

One Hand Clapping – International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 14th – 16th March, 7:30pm. 

Words by Kevin Danson


ADAPTED BY MMU GRADUATE LUCIA COX, FROM THE NOVEL BY ANTHONY Burgess, One Hand Clapping will be on stage at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 14th – 16th March.

Based in the sixties in a working-class town named Bradcaster (Bradford and Manchester), a couple; Janet and Howard, realise Burgess’ thoughts on a transformed Britain influenced by the hype of American celebrities and mass consumption, creating this comic novel of instant riches and little satisfaction. Janet is a frivolous wife content with her supermarket job that allows her to serve her husband, Howard, meals three times a day. Howard works at a used car dealership. Their lives enter a makeover when Howard uses his special talent at winning game shows, taking them both on a life-changing journey to Heaven and Hell.

Speaking to Lucia about why she had chosen this piece from all of Burgess’ works, she says, ‘The novel was handed to me by Andrew Biswell, [Director of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation and author of Burgess’ biography, The Real Life of Anthony Burgess], who told me to have a read of it and to let him know what I thought’. After reading it in one sitting while in New York, Lucia knew exactly who she wanted to work with and how it would look on stage. She says, ‘It just translates so well as a piece of theatre. The actors I’ve got I’m very excited about’. You can watch her writing process on YouTube under One Hand Clapping V-Log 1.

This dark comedy, although set in the sixties, has major connections not just with Britain, but the world today. A play that engages both glee and gloom, wrapped in Burgess’ cynical view, the audience can expect intimate moments blurred with media disturbances.

Lucia has an MA in creative Writing from MMU where she currently lectures. Her company, House of Orphans, has a series of productions to look out for this year, as well as her award-winning play, Blackbird, appearing on stage in New York. Click here to view her website, and follow her on Twitter @lucia_cox

Tickets cost £6 and are available directly from the IABF shop at the website: www.anthonyburgess.org. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets on site: 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY. 

About the author / 

aAh!

aAh! Magazine is Manchester Metropolitan University's arts and culture magazine.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • 12th February 2026

    Society Spotlight: Fashion Society – the creatives redefining Manchester’s fashion scene

    Featured image: Molly Goble and Anna Comerford aAh! Magazine fashion editor Imogen Burgess meets the Manchester fashion creatives rewriting the rules of the industry. Fashion has long been defined by its connection to exclusivity and elitism – an industry where “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” rings true. This phrase, also a…

  • 12th February 2026

    Opinion: “There’s no replacement for third spaces”

    Featured image: Ciara Reynolds and Charle Mooney Every Tuesday, 91-year-old Joan walks from her flat to Turncroft Lane in Stockport to set up for the weekly ballroom dancing. Joan, a dedicated member of Woodbank Community Centre, has been attending ballroom classes for more than 20 years – and she has no plans to slow down anytime…

  • 12th February 2026

    5 places to live in Greater Manchester after you graduate

    Featured image: Aigerim Zhumabay Life comes at you fast once you leave uni. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make post-degree is where to set up home. If you plan on staying in Manchester, there’s so much more to the city’s suburbs than Chorlton or the familiar sights around the Oxford Road/Wilmslow Road corridor. Greater…

  • 12th February 2026

    Beginner’s Guide to Sam Fender: 6 songs to turn you into a true fan

    Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield Sam Fender has become impossible to ignore in the past year, from being crowned the Mercury Prize winner to releasing his best-selling album, selling out stadiums, and receiving four Brit Award nominations. The Geordie’s indie-pop anthems and addictive, rock-influenced tunes provide something for the masses to sing their hearts out to. If…

Latest Articles