The World Premiere of a Marlowe Theatre Production
THE PARTY GIRLS
The sensational story of the Mitford sisters
Written by Amy Rosenthal / Directed by Richard Beecham
Audiences in Kent, Sussex and beyond have the opportunity to attend the world premiere of a timely and passionate new play by Amy Rosenthal: The Party Girls. This is the first touring production by the Kent theatre and it opens at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury in the first week of September before heading off on a tour that takes in Coventry, Eastbourne, Oxford and Birmingham.
Marlowe Theatre Chief Executive, Deborah Shaw, said: ‘When we first read The Party Girls by Amy Rosenthal we knew we had a majorly important, prescient play on our hands and I couldn’t be more delighted to launch Marlowe Theatre Productions with this world premiere. It showcases our commitment to creating world-class theatre in Kent – establishing a new producing base, working with top creatives and fulfilling the potential of this wonderful theatre and its staff team.
‘Amy’s play captures the wit of Nancy Mitford’s novels and tells a cracking love story across continents, to a backdrop of the rise of extremism and dangerous populist leaders, intent on remaking the world order. The Party Girls, with its great shifts of history seen through a female lens could not be more resonant for our times. I can’t wait to see the brilliant cast assembled by Richard do it full justice in what’s going to be an unmissable production.’
The glamorous Mitford girls cut a glorious swathe through pre-war high society, amidst the glittering world of debutantes and dukes so perfectly evoked in Nancy Mitford’s novels (The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate). But as Fascism rises and political storm clouds crackle over carefree country houses, the bonds of sisterhood are threatened by new and treacherous desires.
Amy Rosenthal’s compelling, touching and witty new play explores the true story of a family riven by political extremism, seen through the eyes of Jessica (Decca) Mitford as she battles to stay true to her beliefs, whilst moving further and further from the values of her once-beloved sisters. Nancy aspires to be a celebrated novelist, Diana and Unity fall for the dangerous, charismatic leaders of the Far Right in Britain and Germany, and Debo sets her cap at a Duke. Meanwhile Decca crosses continents in her own passionate pursuit of love – but can she ever escape her sisters and her past?
The Marlowe Theatre is Kent’s major large-scale theatre and the engine house for the performing arts in the region. Situated in the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury, it presents a year-round programme of touring theatre, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy. It is committed to empowering young people through the arts, nurturing regional creative talent, developing skills and enriching the creative lives of audiences and communities in Kent. In January 2022, The Marlowe was named Theatre Of The Year in The Stage Awards, in recognition of its work with audiences, artists and marginalised communities.
WHERE TO SEE THE PLAY:
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
1 – 6 September
Mon 1, Tue 2, Thur 4, Fri 5 (audio described)
Sat 6: 7.30pm
Thur (captioned) & Sat (BSL): 2.30pm
Belgrade Coventry
9 – 13 September
Tue 9, Wed 10, Thu 11 (BSL), Fri 12, Sat 13: 7.30pm
Thu 11, Sat 13 (Audio Described): 2pm
Malvern Festival Theatre
16 – 20 September: 7.30pm
Wed 17, Thu 18, Sat 20: 2.30pm
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
22-27 September
Oxford Playhouse
30 September-4 October
Birmingham Rep
6 – 11 October: 7.30pm
Wed 8 (Captioned) 7.30pm
Thu 9, Sat 11 (audio Described): 2.30pm
