Fishing Net Soul

In 2012 an artist with dreams of conquering the world was diagnosed with MS and moves home to Keighley. In 800AD a young Viking Shield-maiden dreams of going raiding but her over protective family want to keep her at home. Letty McHugh’s Fishing Net Soul intertwines stories of Vikings, chronic illness, and living life on your own terms.  Audiences at the test showing described this event as - 

“Informative, touching and humorous”

“engaging, honest and thought provoking”

“amazing, Letty had us spellbound from start to finish.”

In 2022 I received a Make: Work bursary from the Bradford Producing Hub to start work on Fishing Net Soul. The aim of the project was to explore the idea the Vikings are responsible for the gene that causes MS, and taking inspiration from viking story telling traditions radically redefine the way we talk about MS. In the first phase of the project I developed a script and performed it at 2 scratch nights. I loved developing the first phase of the project but it also revealed regular live performing wasn’t a viable option with my health. I am currently looking for ways to reimagine Fishing Net Soul as an audio work. I hope to find a way of working that is accessible for me as an artists with MS, and make a piece of work that is accessible for a chronically ill audience.