A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Wet House

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 4m

Paddy Campbell

“What brings you to the care industry? And please do
not tell me you want to make a difference”

Wet House

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 4m
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades

  • Winner of three 2013 Journal Culture Awards:
    Paddy Campbell – Writer of the Year
    Wet House – Performance of the Year
    Joe Caffrey – Performer of the Year

Details

Summary

When Andy, an idealistic young graduate, gets a job in a wet house, a homeless hostel where residents can drink alcohol, he is plunged into a twilight world where the rules about what is right and what is normal have become a little blurred. And that’s just among the other staff.

Based on his own first-hand experience working in a wet house, Paddy Campbell’s award-winning debut full length play asks who will look after the people that no one else will look after?
History

Wet House was first performed at Live Theatre, Newcastle as part of the company’s 40th birthday year on Thursday 19 September 2013.

MIKE. Mid forties, hostel worker.
ANDY. Twenty three, hostel worker.
HELEN. Mid forties, hostel worker.
SPENCER. Forties/fifties but looks older, hostel resident.
DINGER. Late forties, but looks much older, hostel resident.
KERRY. Late teens-early twenties, pregnant, hostel resident.

Helen
Mike
Andy
Dinger
Kerry
Spencer

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol

Media

One of The Guardian’s Top 10 Plays of 2013

“A thrillingly funny and painful vision of life in a homeless shelter... All hail a fine new voice.” - The Guardian

“Yet there's not a scene that doesn't deserve its place or fail to suggest that Campbell is the real deal: a writer capable of harnessing such extremes of mirth and despair that there isn't a dry eye in the wet house.” - The Guardian

“Paddy Campbell’s smartly structured debut play defies expectations and finds a strong, theatrical language in which to tell some unpalatable truths.” - The Telegraph

“Paddy Campbell’s richly authentic play, set in a hostel for homeless people, feels punchy rather than preachy.” - Evening Standard

“Campbell has started by writing what he knows, but his muscular yet empathetic way with character and story suggests a writer of enormous promise.” - The Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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