#BEMOREMARTYN
ABOUT THE SHOW
Hive North share the story of a remarkable man who had a particular talent for friendship.
Martyn Hett lost his life in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, within hours #BeMoreMartyn trended on Twitter – but what does it mean?
Hive North asked eight of Martyn's closest friends and created a unique piece of verbatim theatre using their words. They give a remarkable insight into an extraordinary young man, who transformed each and every one of them.
Martyn’s friends take us on a journey from the cobbles of Canal Street to his legendary Eurovision parties, celebrating Coronation Street, Mariah Carey and Michelle McManus along the way.
Martyn’s outrageous and hilarious take on popular culture is brought to life on stage including his infamous Deirdre Barlow tattoo and the YouTube sensation that is The Audrey Roberts Noise.
This play celebrates the power of friendship and encourages audiences to live life to the full, to be proud of who you are and to #BeMoreMartyn.
CAST & CREATIVES
Written by
Adam Zane & Mike Lee
Directed by
Adam Zane
Produced by
Mike Lee
Designer
Dick Longdin
Company Manager
Flick Gourley
CAST
Rachel Sonia Ibrahim
Alastair Calum Scott
Mikey Jospeh Carter
Christina Chloe Proctor
Andrew Daniel Maley
Russell Matthew Forey
Hannah Bridget Gallagher
Stuart Carl Blakeley
DIRECTORS NOTE
Verbatim theatre is a form of documentary theatre in which plays are constructed from the precise words spoken by people interviewed about a particular event or topic.
We welcome you to a new piece of verbatim theatre, about an extraordinary person – Martyn Hett.
I didn’t know Martyn but, like thousands of others I’d liked and shared his videos and even glimpsed his Deirdre tattoo once as my husband and I were rushing through the gay village. I have many friends who knew Martyn and it was for that reason that I found myself at his funeral, sat next to my co-producer Mike Lee.
We were both incredibly moved by the memories shared that day, and couldn’t think of a more fitting theatrical tribute than interviewing Martyn’s friends and sharing their stories of the boy with the Deirdre tattoo. I also wanted to discover for myself what it means to ‘Be More Martyn’.
Martyn’s family put us into contact with eight people who would give a snapshot of his life. We conducted interviews with them in September 2017 and April 2018.
REVIEWS
#BeMoreMartyn review – heartfelt tribute to a best friend lost in terror attack | The Guardian
#BeMoreMartyn: The Boy With the Deirdre Tattoo review at Pleasance | The Stage
#BeMoreMartyn, The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo | Quays Life
#BeMoreMartyn: The Boy With the Deirdre Tattoo | North West End
#BeMoreMartyn at the Pleasance Theatre | Boyz Magazine
Review: #BeMoreMartyn – The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo | I Love Manchester
Review: #BeMoreMartyn – The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo | Upstaged Manchester
#BeMoreMartyn: The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo | The Reviews Hub
Fringe REVIEW: #BeMoreMartyn @The Warren Theatre Box | G Scene
2018 MEDIA COVERAGE
#BeMoreMartyn: Play inspired by arena attack victim Martin Hett opens in Manchester | The Telegraph
#BeMoreMartyn: The play about Manchester attack victim and Corrie superfan Martyn Hett | ITV News
Martyn Hett play #BeMoreMartyn will return to Hope Mill Theatre | Manchester Evening News
New play brings to life interviews with friends of Manchester Arena bombing victim | Brighton Argus
Why verbatim theatre gives a voice to the voiceless | Evening Standard
One year on: play opening in tribute to Manchester attack victim | 5 News
2019 MEDIA COVERAGE