

Derek Jarman: film-maker, painter, gardener at Prospect Cottage, gay rights activist, writer…his influence remains as strong as it was on the day he died in 1994. But his story, one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, has never been told. Until now.
This vibrant solo play from Mark Farrelly brings Derek back into being for a passionate, daring reminder of the courage it takes to truly live while you’re alive. A journey from Dungeness to deepest, brightest Soho and into the heart of one of our most iconoclastic artists.
Jarman’s works include taboo-breaking films like Sebastiane, Jubilee and Caravaggio, pop videos for Pet Shop Boys (It’s A Sin, Rent), his extraordinary garden in Dungeness, his shocking last paintings, and his unforgettable final film Blue, consisting of a continuous frame of blue and chronicling what it’s like to lose your sight…but never your artistic vision.
Jarman has been performed over 100 times across the UK and internationally, with venues ranging from Wilton's Music Hall, London, The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, a residency at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and Greenwich Theatre, London, the latter on the occasion of what would have been Derek's 80th birthday, with guest speakers including Peter Tatchell and Simon Fisher-Turner. The play also raises money for the Terrence Higgins Trust, with over £10,000 donated so far. Running time: 80 mins, optional interval

Reviews
★★★★★ "This play will reawaken your love for the man. Highly recommended" Queer Guru
★★★★★ “Jarman admonishes us to ‘be astonishing’. And that’s exactly what Mark Farrelly is. Fabulous, thought-provoking stuff” Bum on a Seat
★★★★ “A gripping solo show” The Stage
★★★★ "A mesmerising performance that moves, amuses and shocks in equal measure. A stunning piece of theatre and stage craft that will enthral all that see it" Theatre-News.com
★★★★ “Farrelly is a remarkable actor. He brings an extraordinary, glittering edge and sense of danger to everything he does” Sardines Magazine
★★★★ “The amount of emotional energy Farrelly sustains in taking us through all the different phases of Jarman’s life is remarkable” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “An astonishing and heartfelt portrayal… Exceptional" London Living Large
★★★★ "An enthralling performance” Reviews Gate