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Fatherland (Farino)

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 1m

A sharp, tender and darkly funny new play about the chaos of connection – and how sometimes the only way forward is through a snowstorm on the M6.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Only good things happen to Winston Smith. Or so he keeps telling himself. Winston loves his job as a life coach and is even hoping to write a book to share his wisdom more widely. There’s just the small matter of a negligence lawsuit to deal with first…

His daughter Joy is tired. Of holding things together. Of pretending to be okay. And of every relationship in her life demanding more than she has to give. The solution? A spontaneous road trip to County Mayo, in search of their long-lost Irish roots. On a converted school bus with mood lighting, questionable plumbing, and no clear plan; Winston takes Joy on a search for their past by way of hiding from the here and now.

A debut play by Nancy Farino, Fatherland is a sharp, tender and darkly funny new play about the chaos of connection – and how sometimes the only way forward is through a snowstorm on the M6.

History

Fatherland premiered in London at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs on 31 October 2025. Directed by Tessa Walker, the production featured Shona Babayemi as Claire, Nancy Farino as Joy and Jason Thorpe as Winston.

WINSTON – 50s
JOY – Late 20s
CLAIRE – 30s
MATTHEW – Recording only
WOMAN’S VOICE – Recording only
VOICEMAIL – Recording only

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting

    Various locations in the United Kingdom, from coffee shops to the road. Present day.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

“Invigorating!” – The Guardian

“Farino’s writing, both delicately allusive and robustly real, shows great promise.” – The Arts Desk

“A highly observational play that glides through legal technicalities and family conflicts with equal effectiveness.” – LondonTheatre1

“An impressive first play.” – ReviewsGate

“Farino’s script is intelligent.” – The Reviews Hub

“Nuanced and powerful play.” – Theatre and Tonic

“One of the best performances I’ve seen this year... Farino sketches a thoroughly persuasive portrait of a father and daughter who circle each other yet never quite come within touching distance.” – The Times

“Full of good intentions, light humour and human insight.” – WhatsOnStage

Videos

  • Fatherland – Hampstead Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Fatherland – Hampstead Theatre Trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Nancy Farino

Nancy Farino is a writer and actor from the West Midlands. She trained at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has since worked as an actor 
with Netflix, Apple, BBC and Sky.  She began co-writing and producing plays in 2017. Her theatre work includes Twenty Something (Old R ...

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