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Stitchers

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 5m

Esther Freud

"Nothing can go missing. No wool, no kits. Especially no needles."

Lady Anne Tree – one of the most aristocratic women in England – spent her life in prisons. As a visitor, she saw first-hand the aggression, low self-esteem, and high reoffending rates among the most hardened criminals.

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

“Nothing can go missing. No wool, no kits. Especially no needles”

Lady Anne Tree – one of the most aristocratic women in England – spent her life in prisons. As a visitor, she saw first-hand the aggression, low self-esteem, and high reoffending rates among the most hardened criminals. Lady Anne thought she had the answer. She would teach them needlecraft.

Based on a true story, this is an inspiring and heart-warming debut play by best-selling novelist Esther Freud, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Gaby Dellal.

Esther Freud’s first novel Hideous Kinky was made into a film starring Kate Winslet. Granta named her one of the Best Young Novelists under 40. She has since written seven novels, including The Sea House, Love Falls, Lucky Break and most recently Mr Mac & Me.

“A superbly gifted writer” - The New York Times

“Fresh, witty, involving and touching” - The Independent 

Cast Attributes
Keywords
CASTING NOTE
In the Jermyn Street Theatre production, the producer decided to cast an actor who had transitioned in the part of Denise, formerly known as Derrick. Each director can decide how they cast this part.

In 1997 when the play is set, Denise wouldn’t have necessarily had any gender altering operation but would present as a woman. Casting male/female actors is up to the discretion of the director of each production.

  • Time Period 1990s
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

"...Stitchers is an extraordinarily crafted piece of theatre." - BroadwayWorld

"...Esther Freud delicately conveys the therapeutic potency of this work; the pleasure of creativity, the bright colours of the silks amid deadening institutional ugliness, the gentle, hypnotic rhythm of sewing..." - The Times 

"Hope without sentimentality." - The Stage

"Stitchers poses strong arguments for... Freud’s skills as a playwright." - The Stage

"...a thought-provoking and engaging show..." - The Reviews Hub

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

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Authors

Esther Freud

Esther Freud
Esther Freud trained as an actress before writing her first novel, Hideous Kinky, which was short listed for the John Llewellyn Rhys prize and made into a film starring Kate Winslet. After publishing her second novel, Peerless Flats, she was chosen as one of Granta’s Best Yo ...
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