Casting has been announced for Strut & Fret’s revival of Ben Brown’s award-winning play Larkin with Women, which explores the last 30 years of Philip Larkin’s life.
As this year marks 100 years since the English poet’s birth, this play gives audiences a chance to re-examine the controversy surrounding Larkin in a modern context.
Directed by John Gilbert and Jenny Hobson, Larkin with Women focuses on Larkin’s time spent as a Librarian at Hull University. Throughout his time there, he had a complicated love life dominated by three women: Monica Jones, an English lecturer, Maeve Brennan, a fellow librarian, and Betty Mackereth, Larkin’s secretary. Unbeknownst to this trio, Larkin was dating all of them simultaneously. Yet, even with his cynicism and selfishness, the three women remained loyal to his death.
While Larkin’s reputation has been marred by his overtly outdated views, this play promises a “witty” and “thought-provoking examination” of Larkin’s complex personality, focusing on how each of these women may have influenced both his outlook and his work.
Larkin himself will be played by Daniel Wain who also serves as producer. He will be accompanied by Annabel Miller, Mia Skytte and Lynne Harrison, who make up Larkin’s trio of lovers. Miller and Skytte will portray the roles of Betty Mackereth and Monica Jones respectively. Harrison will reprise the role of Maeve Brennan after appearing in Richmond Shakespeare Society’s 2018 production.
The show will be performed at the Old Red Lion Theatre from 31 August to 17 September. Tickets can be purchased on the Old Red Lion Theatre’s website.
Words by Katie Heyes
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