Fast Woman at the Everyman Studio, Cheltenham

Fast Woman, which tells the extraordinary life story of Helle Nice, is being presented at the Everyman, Cheltenham for two performances only, 13 – 14 January.

Helle Nice was a fast woman in every sense:- in life, in love and in motor-racing. Roaring through the 1920’s she danced her way to notoriety at the Casino de Paris, posed nude for Parisian photographers and risked her life many times in adventures as diverse as skiing, high wire acts, mountaineering and speed record attempts. Her skill and courage brought her success; her brazen media-savvy brought her enemies – one in particular. In him she met her match.

In this production, the ‘fast woman’ is recreated by Sandra Hunt who, like Nice, began her career as a dancer performing in cabaret and nightclubs as well as theatres. Sandra says: “I have also modelled for my local art group but appeared nude only in the privacy of my own bathroom”!

Sandra has a long and very fond association with Cheltenham having played Fairy Godmother in the Everyman Panto a number of times and fulfilled a lifetime’s theatrical ambition in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with her first experience of ‘flying’! Her television work includes roles in Cold Feet, The Street, Coronation Street, and Doctors. Theatrical highlights include a remarkable performance as Fanny Cradock in her solo show Fanny Cradock – the Life and Loves of a Kitchen Devil.

Writer Stewart Howson’s plays include Country Voices and Betty’s Mirror for York Theatre Royal and On Yer Bike, Staying Here and Quay Moments for NTC. He has also successfully adapted, amongst others, A Christmas Carol, Tartuffe and Great Expectations for the stage. Stewart was commissioned to write Behind Yon Hill for the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham which also toured These Things Do Happen receiving a nomination for the TMA/Martini Awards for best tour.