Family comedy set in Mansfield among trio of works by local playwrights to be staged in Nottingham
Three new productions by three Nottinghamshire playwrights are taking to the stage at the Playhouse in the coming months – including one show set in Mansfield.
The first is Scenes from a Friendship by Jane Upton. It follows best friends across the decades – from the school playground, to making teenage mixtapes, to the chaos of middle-aged parenthood – as their lives cross and divide. It runs from May 15 to June 6.
July sees the world premiere of The Market Deeping Model Railway Club by William Ivory, based on the true story of a group of model railway enthusiasts whose lifetime of work is destroyed by a mindless act of vandalism. It tells how the Market Deeping Model Railway Club's chances of victory at the Annual Show have been ripped apart by vandals, and the group must rally to piece their miniature world back together. When their story goes global, help floods in from unexpected sources - including fellow enthusiast Sir Rod Stewart. The play runs from July 6 to 25.
The autumn season opens with the regional premiere of the Olivier-nominated Till the Stars Come Down by the award-winning playwright and author Beth Steel. Originating at the National Theatre and then transferring to the West End, the comical family drama is a new production, directed by the award-winning Caroline Steinbeis.
It’s set on Sylvia and Marek's big day, with the Stone family having gathered in Mansfield. The bride, her sisters and aunts are getting glamorous and everyone's on their best behaviour – for now. But once the vows have been made and the drinks start flowing, deep-seated family resentments begin to bubble up. When secrets start spilling out, alliances shift, and by the end of the night, nothing will ever be quite the same again. The play runs from September 5 to 26.
Beth Steel said: “I'm beyond thrilled that my play, Till the Stars Come Down, will be having its regional premiere at Nottingham Playhouse. Since its first opening at the National Theatre in 2024, I have seen the play in the West End and around the world, to now bring it home to the people and place that inspired it is a dream come true. I'm honoured.”
Adam Penford, artistic director at Nottingham Playhouse, said: “Investing in theatremakers who live in, or originate from, the local area is a crucial part of what we do. Our region has produced a host of brilliant playwrights and we want to celebrate that.
“I’m thrilled to be welcoming these fabulous local writers to tell stories exploring universal, vital themes. There’s a need for people to see their own lives shown on stage and our three new productions get right to the heart of life in contemporary Britain.”
Visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call 0115 941 9419 to book.