“The Fair Intellectual Club: If the warm spirit of Dead Poets Society met Simone de Beauvoir” @edfestmag

A funny, challenging, moving true tale of teenage love, friendship and betrayal set at the dawn of the Scottish Enlightenment.

This is a new play by Lucy Porter based on the true story of three Edinburgh girls who formed ‘The Fair Intellectual Club’ in 1717. They recruited other young ladies aged between 15 and 19 with a view to discovering “what we might attain unto if we were as industrious to cultivate our minds as we are to adorn our bodies.” Members studied literature, science and philosophy and the only grounds for leaving the club were marriage or death. The Fair Intellectuals took an oath to preserve the absolute secrecy of their organisation but were betrayed by an enemy within, who exposed her sisters to scandal, censure and ruin.

Lucy Porter, who was inspired to turn this 18th century tale of teenage love, friendship and betrayal into the ‘Mean Girls’ or ‘Heathers’ of its time, based her play on the original manuscripts of the Club.

It was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2014 to a sell out run and great critical acclaim. This tour reunites director Marilyn Imrie with the original cast of that production, Caroline Deyga, Jessica Hardwick and Samara MacLaren.

Tonight's performance will feature special live music from Edinburgh Napier University students.

“It’s a superbly written reflection on how far we’ve come in our attitudes to and treatment of women today… howlingly funny & deeply moving piece performed by three extremely talented young women” 5***** Mary Woodward, Theatre Times – Edinburgh Fringe 2014

“It turns The Fair Intellectual Club into a heart-felt and nourishing play about aspiration, change and transformation – and it’ll send you out on an absolute high." 4**** Mark Fisher, The Scotsman – Edinburgh Fringe 2014

“Porter’s script is a constant delight” 4**** Thom Dibdin, The Stage – Edinburgh fringe 2014

@fairintellect www.fairintellectualclub.co.uk www.stellarquines.com