babsolutely fabulous

Tennis champ celebrated in play at Dudley Library

In her 90th anniversary year, Dudley’s triumphant Wimbledon tennis champion, Dorothy Round, takes centre stage at Dudley Library on Thursday 13 June.

Babsolutely Fabulous, by Grusha’s Theatre Company of Smethwick, powerfully recreates the incredible story of Dorothy Round, Dudley’s most remarkable and successful Wimbledon tennis champion from the 1930s. Together with two other formidable, female, Black Country, lead characters (the theatre Svengali - Sylvia King of West Bromwich and queen of the Walsall leather trade - Edna Kirby) Dorothy recalls her sensational singles tennis victories at Wimbledon in 1934 and then 1937. 

This unique Arts Council England funded tour visits six Black Country venues in June including Dudley Central Library on Thursday 13 June at 7.30pm. Tickets are free and available to be reserved from the library on 01384 815560 or via ticketsource https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/grushas-theatre-company/babsolutely-fabulous/e-xlyvyy

Stephanie Rhoden, Dudley partnership manager at GLL, said:

“We’re especially delighted to present this free professional theatre company in the 90th anniversary year of Dorothy Round’s sensational and inspiring success at Wimbledon in the lady's singles championship. Her success and team up with fellow tennis player Fred Perry will also be explored and altogether the show should be incredibly informative and fun for all that come along to see the show.

"Dorothy made Dudley proud and it’s lovely to hear her amazing story once more at Dudley Central Library on Thursday 13 June at 7.30pm."

 

 

Contact Information

Dudley Council

pressoffice@dudley.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Notes to editors:  Babsolutely Fabulous is written by former Birmingham Poet Laureate and Guardian journalist Adrian Johnson for Grusha’s Theatre Company of Smethwick. It is the story of three amazing and controversial Black Country women: Sylvia King – builder of a massive people’s fun palace in West Bromwich, Edna Kirby- Walsall’s manufacturer of the UK’s finest leather gloves and Dorothy Round - Dudley’s two times Wimbledon tennis champion. They are on a mission, unexpectedly gathered in the Wolverhampton offices of The Express & Star, to reclaim their own story of remarkable achievement from the sensational front page newspaper reports, myth, local legend, and sceptical newshounds. All three larger than life Black Country women have their side of the story to tell but, will they succeed, listen, and learn from each other's tale that includes soaring success and some devastating disaster? Whatever else happens it’s guaranteed to be Babsolutely Fabulous!