Something For The Something – Keeley Forsyth's cultural picks
Keeley Forsyth is a composer, singer and actor from Oldham in the north-west of England.
Her debut album Debris (2020) was hailed by The Sunday Times as 'one of the most remarkable [albums] in years'. It was followed by the highly-acclaimed Limbs (2022) and the equally lauded The Hollows (2024).
As an actor, recent screen appearances include roles in Jessica Hausner's dark satire Club Zero as well as Yorgos Lanthimos's multi-award-winning Poor Things. She has also starred in popular television programmes such as Happy Valley, Luther and Criminal Justice.
This month, Keeley performs with collaborator Matthew Bourne in the National Concert Hall Studio on May 13th, as part of the NCH's Metronome Series.
We asked Keely for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
I am looking forward to watching Monk In Pieces – a documentary about the performer and interdisciplinary artist Meredith Monk.
MUSIC
I recently collaborated with a vocal artist, an actor, and a musician. We were workshopping new ideas for a play directed by Samantha Shay. During that time, I learned a Ukrainian folk song - Plyve Kacha - sang to me by one of the actors there, Ditte Berkeley, who co-founded the Tzar Theatre Grotowski in Poland.
We connected, and she generously taught me the song. Since then, I've found myself humming it often. It's stayed with me—not just the melody, but the feeling behind it. As I sing it to myself, I'm reminded of the pain and cruelty that war brings.
BOOK
The Son of Man by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo. I admire everything he writes. His work is both tender and vivid, and there's a quiet courage in the way he approaches each subject. His writing stays with me - thoughtful, evocative, and deeply human.
THEATRE
The last play I saw was The Seagull at The Barbican - I was blown away by the new adaptation by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier.
I am hoping to see my mate Maxine Peake at Nottingham Playhouse in September, in The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse by Caroline Bird.
TV
Not a TV person - but I have been enjoying The Studio, an American satirical comedy.
GIG
Colin Stetson at BDCST festival in Brussels – I got the chance to play with him during my set for the same festival, curated by him. He is one of the most powerful performers I have experienced.
ART
The Museo del Prado in Madrid houses the largest collection of Francisco Goya's art, so when I was there performing in Madrid, I made sure to go and see it.
TECH
I was recently told about the website What Three Words - a mapping of the world to accurately locate yourself or others - although I am usually partial to being a little lost.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
Not spending anything on cosmetics, ever - just castor oil as it does it all, mostly.
As an actor, recent screen appearances include roles in Jessica Hausner's dark satire Club Zero as well as Yorgos Lanthimos's multi-award-winning Poor Things. She has also starred in popular television programmes such as Happy Valley, Luther and Criminal Justice.
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