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# PREVIEW: ‘Wanting the Moon’: Clemence Dane by Rose Collis
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/preview-wanting-the-moon-clemence-dane-by-rose-collis/
- Published: 2015-10-28T17:54:31.000Z
- Updated: 2015-10-28T17:54:31.000Z
- Description: Clemence Dane (aka Winifred Ashton) is the ‘invisible woman’ of British 20th century culture. She was a prolific, popular writer and artist, described by her great friend Noel Coward as “a wonderful unique mixture of artist, writer, games mistress, poet and egomaniac.”
- Author: Contributor
- Tags: Arts, Previews, Theatre, Jubilee Library Brighton, Rose Collis

## Clemence Dane (aka Winifred Ashton) is the ‘invisible woman’ of British 20th century culture.

![Rose Collis](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web-600-171.jpg)

Rose Collis

**She was a prolific**, popular writer and artist, described by her great friend **Noel Coward** as *“a wonderful unique mixture of artist, writer, games mistress, poet and egomaniac.”*

For many years, she lived in two decorated caravans in a field near the Midhurst sandpits, West Sussex, and was a regular visitor to Brighton.

Yet her name and achievements are almost forgottentoday: she was the first British woman screenwriter ever to win an Oscar, the inspiration for eccentric medium Madame Arcati in **Noel Coward’s** *Blithe Spirit* and a highly-regarded scriptwriter in Hollywood and Britain.

Writer and performer **Rose Collis** talks about the life and work of this extraordinary woman who will be the subject of her new Arts Council-funded one-woman play; *Wanting the Moon*, will have three preview performances, at the Marlborough Theatre, Brighton, on January 8 and 9, and Arundel Jailhouse, January 12.

Rose, a writer, alternative historian and performer, has lived and worked in Sussex since 1997\. Her books include *Death and the City* (Hanover Press 2013), *The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton* (2010), *‘This Effing Lady’: Coral Browne* (Oberon Books 2007), *Colonel Barker’s Monstrous Regiment: A Tale of Female Husbandry* (Virago 2000 & 2001); and *A Trouser-Wearing Character: The Life and Times of Nancy Spain* (Cassell 1997 & 1999).

In 2012, she created the critically-acclaimed *Trouser-Wearing Characters*, the first one-woman musical cabaret show written and performed by a female author, which continues to tour.

In November 2014, she received funding from the Arts Council England in November 2014 for the successful research and development of *Not Wanted on Voyage*, a new play about **Nancy Spain** and **Gilbert Harding**.

In August 2015, Rose was appointed by the National Trust and Literature Works to be the first Writer-in-Resident at Coleridge Cottage, as part of the [Writing Places](http://writingplaces.org/2015/08/18/announcing-the-writer-in-residence-for-coleridge-cottage-rose-collis/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) programme.

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**Event:** *Wanting the Moon*: Clemence Dane by Rose Collis

**Where:** Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton

**When:** Tuesday, November 24

**Time:** Doors open 5.30pm for 5.45pm prompt start.

**Tickets:** £3

**To book online [click here:](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wanting-the-moon-clemence-dane-by-rose-collis-tickets-19279613844?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

**For more information about Rose Collis, [click here:](http://www.rosecollis.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**