Adrian Howells
This collection includes correspondence, production files, notebooks, DVDs, posters, press cuttings and photographs, relating to the work of pioneering performer and director Adrian Howells (1962-2014).
Born in Kent, Howells moved to Glasgow in the 1990s where he worked as an assistant director and performer for the Citizens’ Theatre. He also trained under and performed with Nigel Charnock (1996-2007), a founder member of the DV8 physical theatre company.
These experiences triggered Howells creation of his female persona Adrienne, with performances at the Arches, Glasgay! and many other venues and festivals. Shows included Adrienne's Dirty Laundry Experience (2003), Adrienne: The Great Depression (2005) and Salon Adrienne (2006). Later works included May I Have the Pleasure? (2011) and intimate one to one performances: Held (2007), Foot Washing for the Sole (2008), and The Pleasure of Being: Washing/ Feeding/Holding (2011). His production for the National Theatre of Scotland, The Lifeguard, was staged at Govanhill Baths in 2012.
Howells was an Arts and Humanities Research Council fellow at the University of Glasgow between 2006 and 2009 which resulted in a performative installation The Garden of Adrian, performed at Gilmorehill, Glasgow (2009). Following his death, his papers were given to the University of Glasgow by his family.
How to find material relating to Adrian Howells
- Use the Name search option on the Scottish Theatre Archive search or browse the contents of the Howells collection listed so far. Cataloguing is in progress (Summer 2016).
Adrienne's Dirty Laundry Experience (2003)