After a sensational Edinburgh Fringe Debut and a sell-out Stellar Quines National tour Lucy Porter’s hilarious theatrical debut is coming to BBC Radio 4. Directed by Marilyn Imrie and produced by Absolutely Productions two very special live events at The Scottish Storytelling Centre will see the comedy series being recorded in front of a live audience for broadcast later this year.
The Fair Intellectual Club is about three teenage girls in 18th century Edinburgh, founder members of a secret society for young ladies. They meet weekly to study history, philosophy and mathematics [matters then considered too dangerous for the female brain!] Marjory’s a clergyman’s daughter betrothed to a rich, older man plagued by hip gout and lip cankers. Alison’s an uptight mathematical genius with an idiot brother. Ishbel’s a society voluptuary with a taste for a bit of rough.
The action’s rooted in the exciting world of Scotland at the dawn of The Enlightenment, but questions about the role of women, nationalism (will this new-fangled United Kingdom last?) and the influence of Europe still resonate.
The Fair Intellectual Club is a warm witty gag packed romp showing those Edinburgh girls taking on poets, philosophers and scientists and beating them at their own game. Saltier than Scots porridge, it brings eighteenth century Edinburgh to vibrant life.
The two recordings will take place on Sunday 24th and Sunday 31st January, tickets are free and available from The Scottish Storytelling Centre.