A brand new play, These Majestic Creatures, has opened at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre and plays there to 4 November 2023.
Actors Ingrid Bolton-Gabrielsen and Andrina Carroll are directed by Kash Arshad in this warm and funny Scarborough-set two-hander by exciting new playwright Emma Geraghty.
A whale has washed up on the beach, and Max has come back to see it – or at least that’s Max’s story and they’re sticking to it. Max’s mum Pam isn’t convinced. Pam still runs the B&B that has been in the Vaughan family for generations, but Max’s return brings up memories that she doesn’t want to deal with, especially anything to do with Pam’s own mum, Edith.Max wants Pam to listen when they’re talking. Pam wants to move on. And Edith? Well, we’re not talking about Edith. These Majestic Creatures takes us back and forth between the past and present of the Vaughan family – relationships made of old photos, an inherited love of Strictly and insults that only a mother could throw. After all, nobody knows you like your family!
Olivier Award-nominated director Kash Arshad says: ““I’m so excited to bring Emma’s play to life here at the SJT. For me, These Majestic Creatures is not only a play about family and the particular bond you have with them that you have with no one else, but it’s a play for Scarborough and what it means to live here, to be connected to this place and to call it home. Emma has written a brilliantly funny, honest and heartwarming play that I’m so excited to share!”
Writer Emma Geraghty says: “I’ve loved working with the SJT on this play and I especially enjoyed spending time in Scarborough while I was developing it – from working in the actual theatre to walking the North Bay avoiding eye contact with the seagulls. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done on it, and I am excited for people to meet Max, Edith, and Pam.”
These Majestic Creatures can be seen in the McCarthy auditorium at the SJT until Saturday 4 November. Tickets are available from the SJT box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com
