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1976

Yesterday's News

Written by Jeremy Seabrook

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Robert Kidd & Nicholas Wright

Co-production with Joint Stock Theatre Company

 

Dates Performed

Tuesday 11th May 1976
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

England, late 20th century, where personal histories and societal transformations intertwine

Yesterday’s News is a compelling drama that captures the struggles and reflections of individuals facing the swift currents of social change in 70’s Britain. The play delves into themes of nostalgia, social displacement, and the search for identity amidst evolving societal landscapes.

The story revolves around characters who find themselves at odds with the rapid changes happening around them. Henry, a retired factory worker, grapples with feelings of obsolescence and loss as the world he knew transforms beyond recognition. His wife, Margaret, represents the longing for the past’s perceived stability and simplicity. Their son, David, embodies the new generation’s struggles to find his place in a society that no longer values the traditional paths of his parents.

Through these personal stories, Seabrook highlights the tension between past and present, and how individuals navigate the loss of familiar social structures. The play offers a poignant exploration of the human cost of progress and the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing world.

Director(s)

Bill Gaskill, Max Stafford-Clark

Poster credit

Poster courtesy V&A Theatre and Performance Archive

Cast & Creative

Cast

Gillian Barge

Cast

Linda Goddard

Cast

Paul Kember

Cast

Will Knightley

Cast

Philip McGough

Cast

Tony Matthews

Designer

Hayden Griffin