Midsummer Mischief

A collection of four plays exploring women's roles and societal expectations, Midsummer Mischief challenges norms through unique narratives and powerful themes.

This festival of new plays, titled Midsummer Mischief, showcases the creativity of four prominent female British playwrights. Under the guidance of Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman, the festival features short plays that respond to the thought-provoking quote by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: Well-behaved women seldom make history. Each playwright brings a unique perspective to this theme, resulting in a rich tapestry of storytelling that challenges societal norms and explores the complexities of womanhood.

Among the plays included in Midsummer Mischief is Timberlake Wertenbaker's The Ant and the Cicada, which delves into the struggles of two sisters over their family home amid rising debts and external pressures. This narrative serves as a poignant reflection on the broader implications of loss and the fragility of heritage. Alice Birch's Revolt. She said. Revolt again. confronts the expectations placed on women, questioning the barriers that prevent radical change in contemporary society.

The festival also features E.V. Crowe's I can hear you, a supernatural exploration of family dynamics following the untimely death of a young man, and Abi Zakarian's This is not an exit, which humorously tackles the absurdities of modern womanhood. Together, these plays create a compelling commentary on the experiences of women, making Midsummer Mischief a significant cultural event that resonates with audiences and invites reflection on the past and present roles of women in society.