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Theatre review: Rockets and blue lights

Rockets and Blue Lights
BBC R3

 

Winsome Pinnock’s “Alfred Fagon Award” winning play Rockets and Blue Lights had just started its run at the Royal Exchange Manchester when the hammer of pandemic hit the world’s pause button. 

The jolt sent shockwaves across the planet bringing creativity to a juddering halt. Yet the creative mind can overcome catastrophe and it wasn’t long before new and innovative ways were devised to provide a despairing public with stimulation, fun and excitement. 

Actor Bertie Carvel managed to convince the BBC to stage The Lockdown Theatre Festival. Four great plays, including Pinnock’s, which were abruptly cut short by the coronavirus crisis, were to be reimagined for radio. 

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