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Fatherland (Farino)

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 1m

A sharp, tender, and darkly funny 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 Inspire graduate 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 was first performed at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, London on 31 October 2025.

WINSTON – 50s

JOY – late 20s

CLAIRE – 30s

MATTHEW – recording only

WOMAN’S VOICE – recording only

VOICEMAIL – recording only

  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

“One of the best performances I’ve seen this year.” – The Times

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

“Invigorating” – The Guardian

“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

“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

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Nancy Farino

Nancy Farino trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Theatre work includes The Merchant of Venice 1936 (Trafalgar); Twenty Something (Old Red Lion, Edinburgh Fringe); Homegrown (National Youth Theatre); Richard II (The Willow Globe, Powys, Wales); Blessings (Camden Pe ...
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