Writer and creator Miranda Walker, and Producer Michaela Hennessy-Vass, were commissioned to create two 15-minute filmed comedy drama monologues, FACE IT which have been released on BBC iPlayer today, 2nd September.
The episodes – ‘ABBEY’ and ‘LEONIE’ – starring Abigail Cruttenden and Crystal Marshall reveal how two women feel about their faces in the modern swipe-right world, and the unexpected impact of wearing Covid-19 face masks.
Annoyed with her ageing let-down of a face, ambitious Abbey, played by Abigail Cruttenden (Not Going Out, Midsomer Murders, Benidorm, Fresh Meat) has had enough of being overlooked. She’s hell-bent on holding back the years and landing a promotion…with some help from Muhammad Ali. But how far will she go for the win, and is she prepared for the fallout?
Abigail Cruttenden says, ‘I loved the idea of the whole FACE IT project and as a woman, in a renowned ageist industry, the subject matter hugely appealed to me. It required huge energy and concentration from everyone to shoot fifteen minutes of monologue in one day, but Miranda’s brilliant script buoyed us up. It was a great team and a great challenge.’
Played by Crystal Marshall (in her debut role on graduating from LAMDA), straight-talking Leonie is confident her acquired visible facial difference won’t stand in her way. She’s dealt with her demons and fiercely knows that her changed face doesn’t matter. But can she dig deep and face a blast from her past who has yet to see her ‘new face’? Both Crystal and Miranda have a visible facial difference.
Miranda Walker said, ‘I’m delighted to be able to tell these stories, something I feel has been missing from our screens, within a comedy drama format. Abbey feels invisible but comes out swinging when she’s backed into a corner, and Leonie is a vibrant character who finds humour in everyday interactions while dealing with some intense emotions.’
Crystal Marshall said, ‘Wearing a mask to protect against Covid has changed my own experience of going out, and it’s as though the writer had a telescope and could see into my life!’ Crystal advocates for face equality and is keen to be a role model for young people with a visible difference who rarely, if ever, see themselves reflected onscreen.
Exec producer Michaela Hennessy-Vass said, ‘…Miranda Walker has created two powerful, authentic stories, these are narratives rarely heard and yet there’s a strong resonance for us all’.
Distinctive, compelling and of the moment, FACE IT is directed by Jason Edwards.
Watch FACE IT – ABBEY here
Watch FACE IT – LEONIE here
Photo credit Neil Hennessy-Vass