Jemma Last
THE STATE VS JOHN HAYES
written & performed by Lucy Roslyn
Huntsville prison, Texas, 1959. Elyese Dukie is on Death Row for the murder of two people. Tomorrow she goes to court for the last time. But tonight Elyese reveals the one thing she won't tell the court or the psychiatrists: she is not alone in her cell...John Hayes is in there with her.
Written and performed by Lucy Roslyn, and based on extensive research into female killers,The State Vs John Hayes is a striking one-act, psychological thriller, an alternative 'whodunnit'.
Winner of an Argus Angel Award for Artistic Excellence Brighton Fringe 2015
Winner Gemini Print Award Brighton Fringe 2015
Nominated for Brighton Theatre Award Brighton Fringe 2015
Nominated for Best Solo Performance My Theatre Mates Also Recognised Awards
London Reviews
★★★★ The Stage – “a slick and entertaining show”, “Roslyn’s performance is astonishing”, “a very special, intriguing and disturbing piece of theatre – it may only be an hour in length but its impact lasts much longer”, “a gripping and disturbing hour”
★★★★★ Islington Gazette – “It is impossible to look away”
★★★★★ Female Arts – “Roslyn as Dukie/Hayes has the audience in the palm of her hand” “Within its 60 minutes, more is said about gender, identity and female sexuality than many plays twice its length”, “has the audience mesmerised from start to finish”, “a tour-de-force performance”
★★★★★ London Pub Theatre – “An extraordinary play spiced with much dark humour”, “Roslyn is very convincing (…) her performance is captivating”, “a unique and thought provoking play”
★★★★★ Grump Gay Critic – “dangerous and thrilling, helmed by a complicated but arresting character”, “absolutely gripping”, “an intense and troubling hour”, “a blistering piece of theatre”, “a spectacular performance”, “there isn’t a more complete and incredible performance currently anywhere in London”
★★★★★ Remote Goat – “riveting”, “a brilliantly honest performance”
★★★★ West End Wilma – “skilfully directed”, “frightening and witty in equal measure”, “an outstanding performance”, “one not to miss”
★★★★ Top London Theatre – “intriguing and complex”, “an incredible, raw and powerful piece of theatre”, “fearless, strong and honest”
★★★★ Everything Theatre – “such an original and engaging piece of work”
★★★★ Carn’s Theatre Passion – “a fascinating insight into the psychology of a murderer, with a stunning solo performance from Lucy Roslyn”, “Raising some hard questions about justice, gender and mental illness, this is a powerful and well-staged production that needs to be seen”
★★★★ The Gizzle Review – “deliciously chilling authenticity”, “incredible performance”, “charismatic, charming, endearing, dangerous, unpredictable and delves into dark comic territory with a wicked smile”, “a truly captivating and provocative hour”
★★★★ Culturefly – “fantastic”, “Simple. Effective. Engrossing.”
★★★★ London City Nights – “like spending an hour in a lion’s cage, “at times you can almost smell the disinfectant and feel the dread of death row.”,”the epitome of a performance-centred character piece”
★★★★ Plays to See – “emotionally charged”, “charismatic Lucy Roslyn is outstanding”, “The King’s Head never disappoints”
★★★★ Middle Peg Review – “a brilliant performance”, “enjoyable”
★★★★ London Theatre 1 – “extraordinary”, “a gripping and disturbing hour of theatre”
Touring Reviews
Brighton Festival, May 2015
★★★★★ The Argus Guide
“This has to be one of the best shows at this years’ Fringe.”
★★★★★ Fringe Guru
“A fascinating, riddling play.”
The Lowry Studio, January 2015
★★★★★ Salford Online
“If I were to sum this play up in a sentence it would be this: a compelling, twisted drama that I wished would never end.”
