We’re very excited to bring our production of ‘A Taste of Honey’ by Shelagh Delaney to Stantonbury Theatre from 14^th – 17^th May.

‘A Taste of Honey’ is an iconic play written by Delaney when she was just nineteen. She wrote the play following her first trip to the theatre thinking she could create something a lot better than what she had experienced at the Manchester Opera House.

Two weeks later, she had written ‘A Taste of Honey’ – a play, set in her hometown of Salford, that depicts the complex relationship and bond between a selfish mother and a troubled daughter.

It was originally intended as a novel, but Delaney turned it into a play because she hoped to revitalise British theatre and address social issues that she thought were not being presented.

Themes and social issues such as: class, race, marriage, age of sexual consent, gender, sexual orientation and illegitimacy in mid-twentieth-century Britain. Some very forward-thinking themes and topics, especially in the late 1950s.  Putting working class women centre stage for the first time and telling their story of poverty, was a revelation. Stories like these were never told.

The play was accepted by Joan Littlewood for production by the Theatre Workshop in 1958, then at the height of its powers.

It’s said in this article in the Guardian that the play was only just approved to go on at Theatre Royal Stratford East by The Lord Chamberlain ‘because it showed “such a sad collection of undesirables that it can’t do much harm”.’

Unsurprisingly the play met with great acclaim, and it transferred to the West End and onto Broadway. With its success, it was made into a
BAFTA award-winning film in 1962 starring Dora Bryan, Murray Melvin and Rita Tushingham, and has been a core GCSE text.

Join us at Stantonbury Theatre

This is an incredibly thought-provoking yet witty play that we are looking forward to bringing to our local stage.

Tickets are available to order from the Stantonbury Theatre website now!  We will share our local cast with you very soon...

Please keep an eye on your social channels for updates -   Facebook      Instagram

Audition opportunity

Are you ready to take the stage on our next professional performance? 

We’re casting for ‘A Taste of Honey’ on Friday 21^st March, 10am – 4pm at King’s Community Centre, Creed Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes.  

This is your chance to showcase your talent, work with local people and industry professionals, and be part of a wonderful experience.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or you’re new to acting, we want to hear from you! PAY IS EQUITY MINIMUM

We are looking to cast the following characters:-

Jo - the protagonist

Jo is 15, but says she is 18 and we are looking to cast a young actor in their twenties. She is feisty, cynical, but also naive. Keen to leave school to get away from her mother, Helen.  Jo is also unsettled and restless. She becomes pregnant and is not ready for motherhood. A complex character.

The Boy (Jimmie) 

Called ‘The Boy’ for most of the play. In his twenties. A black sailor and former nurse. Gentle, caring, well-educated and in love with Jo. He promises to marry her but then proves to be unreliable.

Geof

Caring, practical and sensitive. He meets Jo at a fair and moves in with her. He has been thrown out of his flat when his landlady discovers he is gay. He takes the place of Helen in his care for Jo. Also, in his twenties and an art student.

We are especially looking for someone for the role of ‘The Boy’ so please do share details of our auditions to your network.

Rehearsals will commence on 21st April for three weeks. Be part of this brilliant local production.
Contact Artistic Director, Rosemary Hill on rosemarychill@btinternet.com for further details.

We hope you will join us at Stantonbury Theatre from 14^th – 17^th May for ‘A Taste of Honey’.