Exeter University lecturer to star in her theatre company's new show

Exeter University lecturer and Exeter local, Rebecca Loukes, will star in a new time-travelling, genre-busting show called The Luminous, playing at the Barnfield Theatre this October.

Part Victorian thriller, part contemporary tale of friendship and rebellion, The Luminous delves into older tales to explore how these narratives can shape powerful connections to the present.

The production has been brought to the stage by Reading’s RedCape Theatre, which was originally founded by Rebecca alongside fellow creative director Cassie Friend.

Rebecca and Cassie will both star in the show, which employs their company’s trademark blend of physical theatre, dark comedy, and gripping storytelling.

Set in a modern-day book club, the action follows the course of one evening as three women discuss their chosen book—a schlocky melodrama set in Victorian London called Luminous. 

The wine is flowing, and the discussion gets heated as the women get drawn deeper into the narrative, from which lurid stories of ghastly Victorian England are brought to life. 

Tales of an anonymous killer haunting the city and women whose bones glow through their skin begin to awaken unexpected memories and connections for the women, and the world of the book begins to blur with their present reality.

Above: Image: RedCape Theatre

Written by Catherine Dyson, the play explores how ordinary people navigate extraordinary situations and considers the ways in which book clubs can bring individuals together.

A spokesperson for the production said: "Increasingly important in our digital world, the play masterfully explores the central theme of community, specifically in the setting of book clubs. 

“The female characters forge friendships and create a supportive space in which to reveal their own stories to each other. In doing so, the show highlights the importance of shared experiences in today’s society and the centrality of communal spaces in enabling these connections.”

Catherine, Cassie, and Rebecca added: “The original inspiration for The Luminous was sparked by our fascination with three protests from different eras in which women placed their bodies at the centre: the London Match Girls’ Strike of 1888, the Greenham Common protests in the 1970s and 80s, and the Reclaim the Night movement, which began in the 1970s and was revived recently in response to the death of Sarah Everard.

“We thought a book club setting could be an interesting way to explore female friendship and an exciting portal to access different time periods. We are really excited to share this gripping and inventive story with audiences. 

“The Luminous is full of light and shade and powerfully explores themes that are of huge relevance to our society today, including violence against women, the appropriation of their bodies, and the power of protest.”

The production takes place at 7:45pm at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter, Friday, October 4.

Tickets are now available online for £18.