The final cast has been announced for Knocking on the Wall, a bold new staging of a trilogy of short plays by Scotland’s first major female playwright, Ena Lamont Stewart.
Knocking on the Wall opens at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre for a four-week limited season on Tuesday, 31 October 2023 .
The full cast is Janette Foggo (Edie in Towards Evening and Maggie in Walkies Time for a Black Poodle), Joanne Gallagher (Ella in Walkies Time for A Black Poodle and Isobel in Knocking on the Wall), Robert Hands (Leonard in Towards Evening and Mr Brown in Knocking on the Wall), Jasmine Hyde (Dorothy in Knocking on the Wall) and Matt Littleson (Alec in Knocking on the Wall).
Towards Evening. Siblings Leonard and Edie have been estranged for many years, but – in search of companionship in their advancing years – have now decided to move in together. When the two clashing personalities encounter each other late at night, their uneasy domestic arrangement is tested and deep secrets revealed from their past…
Walkies Time for a Black Poodle. Ella has moved up in the world. From a working-class background, she and her husband Bob have made it and moved to a posh suburb out of town. She should be happy, but she’s not. Desperately lonely and out of place, Ella longs to return to her old life in the city. Her only company is her upright and genteel housekeeper, Maggie…
Knocking on the Wall. Former teacher Dorothy has had a nervous breakdown, and moved in with her sister, Isobel. The plumber is due to visit, but Isobel has had to leave Dorothy alone. When young Alec, the plumber’s apprentice, turns up instead, he and Dorothy strike up a very unlikely connection…
Director Finlay Glen said: ‘These plays are complex, fascinating, character-led works. It’s therefore a joy to be able to work on them with this group, from vastly experienced legends of Scottish theatre to exciting new Scottish screen talent coming to the London stage for the first time. It’s been thrilling to discover the different ways each of them has connected with the characters and with Ena’s words, approaching the material with such insight, intelligence and passion.’
Producer for Dryad Theatre, Georgie Polhill said: ‘It’s wonderful to have so much Scottish and Olivier-nominated talent in the room with this production and a return to Ena Lamont Stewart for some. For the first staging of these plays in nearly half a century the themes of connection and missed chances are as relevant today as they ever were, with a cast that connects Lamont Stewart with her roots.’
