Maya supports outdoor theatre

Maya Hawke, the daughter of top Hollywood film stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, is this year’s celebrity patron of the open air theatre at Lytham Hall.

Maya, 19, starred as the feisty Jo March in the acclaimed BBC TV adaptation of Louisa Alcott’s novel Little Women screened last Christmas, winning widespread praise from the critics for her performance.

This prompted outdoor theatre organiser Julian Wilde to contact her, asking her for support for the series of five open plays at Lytham Hall which begins with Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of Little Women on Sunday 17 June.

“I received an immediatereply, thanks to the power of social media, “ said Julian “ and it is a delight to have Maya Hawke endorsing our season.

She is currently busy filming the third series of the American TV science fiction series Stranger Things, so it is excellent that she has found the time to take an interest in the plays here in Lytham.”

Maya Hawke writes in the season’s programme,

“It is with much pleasure that I send my best wishes to everyone involved with the outdoor theatre season at Lytham Hall which includes Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of Little Women.

I myself greatly enjoyed the opportunity to play the role of Jo in the BBC TV film production of Little Women which was shown at Christmas. Filming it in Ireland last summer was a wonderful experience for me right at the start of my career. Jo has always been a literary heroine of mine and her ambition, courage and drive to overcome her obstacles really inspired me.”

Previous leading actors who have supported the Lytham Hall outdoor season, now in its 9th year, have included Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, locally educated Stephen Tompkinson and Kate Winslet. Last summer opera singer Lesley Garrett, well known on the Fylde coast following two appearances at the Lytham Festival, endorsed the programme.

The full text of the message of support from Maya Hawke will be included in the programmes for The Merchant of Venice, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Pirates of Penzance and The Adventures of Dr. Dolittle which will follow Little Women during July and August.