A Taste Of Honey

By Shelagh Delaney

A Taste Of Honey was Shelagh Delaneys first play written when she was only nineteen. 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. A Taste of Honey comments on, and puts into question, class, race, age of sexual consent, gender, sexual orientation and illegitimacy in mid-twentieth-century Britain.

It became known as a “kitchen sink” drama and part of a genre revolutionising British theatre at the time. It was accepted by Joan Littlewood for production by the Theatre Workshop in 1958, then at the height of its powers. It was later made into a highly acclaimed film in 1962 starring Dora Bryan, Murray Melvin and Rita Tushingham.

Sweetness with a Sting: A Taste of Honey Packs a Punch when at Stantonbury Theatre until Saturday 17th May

Shahnaz (Shiny) Hussain - Milton Keynes Community Hub

A Taste of Honey

Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey is a provocative, gritty play that explores the struggles of a working-class mother and daughter in 1950s England. The story follows Jo, a sharp and independent teenager, and her unreliable and selfish mother, Helen, as they navigate life, love, poverty, and broken dreams.
Described as a "kitchen sink drama" and hailed as "ahead of it's time", A Taste of Honey, by way of television, film, books and curriculum material, is a classic. This week, Rosemary Hill, with 'The Play's the Thing Theatre Company', brings their special production to Milton Keynes.
The dialogue is witty and natural, the flow adept and the characters feel real and relatable. Delaney bravely addresses issues like class, race, gender, illegitimacy and sexuality at a time when few plays did.
Jo’s resilience and honesty make her a standout character, her vulnerability showing through the often harsh exterior. Dealt a cruel hand in life, her character is complicated and emotional, her life unstable and chaotic. It's impossible to not feel for her.
Helen is a fairly despicable character whose true colours come out with every touch and turn. You're desperate for her to change and show some genuine compassion and love. At times you want to warm to her in the hope that there's something likeable there.
Jimmie ( The Boy ) and Peter enjoy less stage time but are nonetheless capable and worthy characters.
Above all, it's Geof who stole the show for me. His beautiful kindness and susceptibilities are truly heartwarming and heartbreaking.
This play is a very moving and thought-provoking piece that still feels relevant today. With some dire attitudes, that sadly still exist in the world today, it is fully captivating and gripping. Difficult and uncomfortable to watch at times, this is testament to the excellent direction, overall production, casting and delivery. Whilst bleak, A Taste of Honey is beautiful. There's sweet humour dotted in perfectly and it really delivers on the realities of life. It’s a strong example of how everyday lives can make powerful drama.
Bravo to Rosemary Hill et al for bringing yet another brilliant and impressive production to the stage.
Cast:
Helen - Caroline Nash
Jo - Tayla Kenyon
Peter - Alexander J C Forni
Jimmie ( The Boy ) - Brian Bususu
Geof - Angus Roughley

Karen Phillips

A Taste of Honey - Stantonbury Theatre

The Play's The Thing Theatre Company’s production of Shelagh Delaney’s groundbreaking first play is a rare treat.
The play centres on Jo (Taylor Kenyon) who goes from school girl to expectant mother and Helen (Caroline Nash) Jo’s Mum.
This central dysfunctional relationship is the engine of the story and both actors bring a beautiful, nuanced performance. It’s a credit to Director Rosemary Hill that these characters are given the space to be sympathetic, infuriating, funny and heartbreakingly believable.
The rest of the cast is made up of the men that drift into and out of Jo and Helen’s life, the idealistic young sailor Jimmie (Brian Bususu), the sleazy Peter (Alexander J C Forni) and the gentle Geof (Angus Roughley). Each offer so much to both Jo and Helen but this brief Taste of Honey is soon taken away.
This is theatre of a rare quality brought to life by an outstanding production team. Special mention to Susan Lee Burton, James Smith and James Tearle whose costumes, set and lighting take you so vividly in the world of late 1950’s Manchester.
And that’s the biggest shock this play delivers. This was written nearly 70 years ago, but Jo, Helen and the rest of the cast are still with us today. The social deprivation, the racism, the homophobia are still with us. These characters are our friends and neighbours.
Will anyone come through for Jo? Will Helen be the Mother Jo (and the audience) need her to be?
How good is this production? Well, we got tickets to see it again on Friday night!

Sean Calvert - Stony Radio

A Taste of Honey

Wow! I’ve just been to see “A Taste of Honey” at Stantonbury Theatre and was blown away by the fabulous central performances of Caroline Nash and Tayla Kenyon as Helen and Jo.
Their relationship was most definitely not that of a ‘normal’ mother and daughter, yet when Jo approaches motherhood she can’t help but mimic the selfish, narcissistic parenting skills she has grown up experiencing herself.
From a theatrical viewpoint it’s amazing to think that this play, one of the first of what is now labelled the “gritty drama” genre, was written by a 19 year old in 1958. Its themes still resonate today, as evidenced by the laughter of recognition by tonight’s audience at meaningful points throughout.
Fantastic direction, as ever, by Rosemary Hill, including unexpectedly choreographed set changes which brought out more of various character’s personalities - I’m not going to reveal any spoilers because I really do urge you to go and see this play for yourself!
Well done all, front and back stage, it really was a triumph.

Beverley Webster

A Taste of Honey

This bittersweet kitchen sink drama was so ahead of its time (written, 70 years ago by a 19 year old Shelagh Delaney) & sadly all the issues dealt with then are even more prevalent today, racism, homophobia, classism and misogyny. A small but perfectly formed cast made this professional production from Rosemary Hill’s, The Play's The Thing Theatre Company, an excellent piece of drama, a slice of social history all on stage at Stantonbury Theatre. Superb performances from the two female leads, Caroline Nash as Helen, the alcoholic, narcissistic and promiscuous mother of Jo, with flashes of humour but ultimately putting her own selfish needs before that of her daughter, Jo, poignantly played by Tayla Kenyon who desperately craved her mother’s attention and affection. An uncomfortable watch but I’m so glad I pushed myself out of my musical theatre comfort zone! On at Stantonbury till tomorrow.
To hear my chat with Tayla (Jo) & Alex (Peter), here’s the link…
https://m.youtube.com/playlist...
Available on Spotify, Apple & YouTube

Nancy Stevens

A Taste of Honey’ by Shelagh Delaney at Stantonbury Theatre

Lee Scriven - Do What In MK

A vivid production Rosemary... like many people maybe I’m hung up on the wonderful movie, especially Tushingham and Melvin’s roles ... so was very pleased that by the start of your second part of tonight’s show I was very engaged.
All the issues still around today.....

Congratulations all on a brilliant production of A Taste of Honey at Stantonbury Theatre tonight. The acting was excellent, the music, stage choreography, set and lighting was so provocative of that time. My friends loved it, one said it was wonderful to have this type of theatre locally.

A great opening night. Fabulous performances. Well done!

Just wanted to drop a quick message to say how much I enjoyed ‘A Taste of Honey’ at Stantonbury last night. I thought the production was really strong… beautifully directed, with such a clear sense of tone and rhythm throughout. The cast were great overall, but Caroline and Tayla really shone. Caroline was brilliant as Helen - sharp, funny, and full of life, and Tayla brought so much honesty and vulnerability to Jo. Their scenes together were fantastic. I’ve always loved ‘A Taste of Honey’ - it’s such a bold, socially charged piece, and your production really brought that out. The way it explores intergenerational trauma, adversity, race, class, gender, the emotional cost of poverty, and the emotional cost of ‘hope’, still, sadly, feels so urgent. Huge congrats to you, the whole cast and production team – you brought the play to life with real heart.

So glad I cam to see this amazing production. You really do bring stories to life. Thank you.

It really was something very special. All the hard work was definitely to be seen on stage.

Just back from seeing it. Mind totally blown! Such excellent performances all round. Well done to all involved.

A wonderful production - astonishing that Shelagh Delaney was just 19 when she wrote this! It's so raw and uncompromising.

It was very lovely and thought provoking.