Synopsis

A run-down London pub on its final night of business, where personal histories and uncertain futures collide.

As landlord Kenny hosts a lock-in for his regulars, including barmaid Pearl, scaffolder Shaun, elderly patron Frank, and Kenny’s young assistant Bilbo, the night descends into a poignant exploration of community, loss, and the struggle for connection. Through a series of revelations, drunken confessions, and karaoke performances, Jordan peels back the layers of her characters’ lives, exposing their fears, regrets, and unfulfilled desires.

The play deftly balances humor and heartbreak as it examines themes of gentrification, social isolation, and the erosion of working-class spaces. As the characters grapple with the pub’s imminent closure, Jordan reveals the profound impact such establishments have on individual lives and community bonds. We Anchor in Hope offers a vivid snapshot of a changing London, where the loss of a local pub becomes emblematic of wider social and economic shifts. Through its richly drawn characters and their intertwining stories, the play celebrates the resilience of the human spirit while mourning the disappearance of spaces that anchor us to one another.