An American Icon comes to Tarvin

The Community centre is delighted to announce that their autumn offering from Cheshire Rural Touring Arts will be "Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London" on Saturday 29th October. This is a one-woman show written and performed by Alison Skilbeck and is currently playing to packed houses at the Edinburgh Festival.

Eleanor Roosevelt was the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and in October 1942 she made the dangerous trip across the Atlantic to visit American troops and help strengthen the Atlantic Alliance. Unlike earlier First Ladies, Eleanor was politically active throughout her husband's tenure, usually with her husband's support though she was often heavily criticised for her efforts. After his death she played an important role in the United Nations and was a leading player in the writing of the Universal Declaration of Human Right

Eleanor's personal life was more troubled and her marriage became a political partnership rather than an intimate relationship. She had a tumultuous relationship with her mother-in-law, and protected and supported Franklin when polio threatened to end his political career, often standing in for him at public meetings. Though never elected to public office her work for civil and human rights help shape post – war America. She died in 1962 aged 78.

Actor and writer Alison Skilbeck specialises in intimate one-woman productions and has been touring this production for a couple of years. She was granted permission by the Roosevelt Estate to have access to Eleanor's diary and writings to form the basis of the piece and uses them to reflect on both the personal and political life of this remarkable woman. As the U.S.A contemplates electing its first woman President, the work now seems very timely.

Tickets will be £10 and will be available very shortly online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheshireruraltouringarts Tickets will be available in the village nearer the date.