Moment of Grace by Bren Gosling narrates Princess Diana’s visit to Britain’s first HIV/AIDS unit at the end of the eighties. It’s a personal and moving show that addresses people’s misconceptions that kept AIDS a taboo, driven by anger and fear. The show is produced by Backstory Ensemble Productions in association with The National HIV Story Trust (NHST), a charity set up to ensure the history of the 80’s and 90’s HIV/AIDS pandemic is not forgotten.
’Heartbreaking story told beautifully’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Hope Theatre
Inspired by the moment in April 1987 when the princess opened Britain’s first HIV/AIDS unit at London’s Middlesex Hospital and challenged public perceptions of the disease by shaking hands with patients, Moment of Grace at the Hope Theatre draws on a number of voices to paint a powerful picture of that day and its far-reaching impact.
’An emotional ride to say the least’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review)
One amazing thing that has come out of Covid-19 theatre is more filmed theatre. My latest theatre experience from the comfort of my own couch was Moment of Grace by Bren Gosling, presented by Backstory Ensemble.
‘Beautifully shot & sensitively told’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review) ★★★★
Moment of Grace is beautifully shot and sensitively told, treating the issues of HIV raised at the time – ignorance, prejudice and lack of medical knowledge in how to treat it – with compassion and sensitivity.
‘A memorable contribution to online theatre’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review)
The first piece Moment Of Grace by Bren Gosling takes us back to the 1980s and the last time the country faced a crisis over a virus.
FEATURED SHOW: The ★★★★★ reviews are in for “outstanding” Moment of Grace
“Sensitive and engaging,” “beautiful,” immensely thoughtful”: Take a look at the incredible reviews for new online play Moment of Grace, then watch for yourself at The Actors Centre website until 9 August.
‘Every element of the story beautifully unfolds’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Backstory Ensemble – The Actors Centre (Online review) ★★★★
Three character play Moment of Grace, based around Princess Diana’s visit to a London’s hospital’s first AIDS unit in 1987, is immensely thoughtful and emotional.
NEWS: Moment of Grace to be streamed by The Actors Centre
Moment of Grace, a new drama inspired by the monumental action taken by Princess Diana when she visited a London AIDS ward in the 1980s, will be streamed by The Actors Centre later this month. The production premieres on 31 July and will be available to watch until 9 August.
WATCH: Moment of Grace releases evocative new teaser trailer
When to touch was to heal. At a time when shaking hands feels like a distant memory, Bren Gosling’s play, inspired by a symbolic act of taboo-breaking compassion, has defied its own challenges to transform from acclaimed stage production to film. Watch the trailer and find out more.
“Moment of Grace is a play about a pandemic, and here we are in the midst of another one” Bren Gosling on his new drama
“We have grabbed this opportunity with both hands to make something original – not a film of a staged version of the play BUT a new hybrid production.” When COVID-19 ended hopes of a London season for new HIV drama Moment of Grace, writer Bren Gosling set about recreating it for the screen. Find out more in his fascinating interview…
COVID-cancelled show Moment of Grace searches for streaming partner
Moment of Grace, a new drama exploring the monumental action taken by Princess Diana when she visited a London AIDS ward, has been transformed from an award-winning stage show into a film in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Producers are hoping to bring it to screens soon.
’An excellent, intimate production’: GRACELAND – Royal Court Theatre
As much as the character of Nina displays resilience and fortitude throughout Graceland at the Royal Court Theatre, she is also self-conscious and delicate. This balance, and Wong Davies’ lyrical writing, are what makes this an excellent, intimate production.
‘If you blink you’ll miss the bruises’: GRACELAND – Royal Court Theatre
Is new writing becoming increasingly literary? Recently, some of the language being used by younger playwrights seems to me to be becoming too subtle, something to be savoured on the page rather than strongly felt in a live performance. Certainly, this is true of Ava Wong Davies’ Graceland, which won the 2022 Ambassador Theatre Group Playwright’s Prize, having been developed as part of an Introduction to Playwriting group at the Royal Court, where it gets a studio production.
‘There are so many beautiful moments to be enjoyed’: LES MISERABLES – West End ★★★★★
The music and story soars in this beautiful production that brings Victor Hugo’s original story vividly to life.
‘Captures the men’s glowering rage & moments of acute vulnerability’: SHOOK (Online review)
The latest example of this problematic switch from stage to screen is the strongly acted Shook, Samuel Bailey’s debut play, which won the 2019 Papatango New Writing Prize and had a run at the Southwark Playhouse in November of that year.
‘Inherently intriguing’: Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland – Old Red Lion Theatre ★★★★
This triptych of plays – Nuclear War, Buried and Graceland – is a highly enjoyable and challenging evening for its audience, provoking emotion and thought through nuanced and skilled performances
‘Compelling triptych of plays’: Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland – Old Red Lion Theatre
Nuclear War, Buried and Graceland at the Old Red Lion Theatre become a compelling triptych of plays all connected by the themes of love, loss, trauma and existence.
’Interesting triptych of plays’: Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland – Old Red Lion Theatre
The Old Red Lion’s put together an interesting triptych of plays that, if you’re short for time, allow you to experience the gamut of human experience.
‘People can expect some killer writing’: Anthony Cozens tells more about Graceland at the Old Red Lion Theatre
Actor Anthony Cozens is appearing in the dark comic play by the critically acclaimed writer Max Saunders-Singer which comes to the Old Red Lion Theatre next month in a triple bill alongside Simon Stephens’ Nuclear War and the harrowing Buried.
‘There are some clever moments’: THE CAT IN THE HAT – Turbine Theatre ★★★
‘There are some clever moments’: While Donna Easton is a little underwhelmed by The Cat in the Hat at the Turbine Theatre, her joyful daughter loves the show.