BIRD GROVE

About the show

1841. Mary Ann Evans is of marriageable age – just. Her father, Robert, has recently moved with her to Bird Grove House, with the sole purpose of finding her a suitable husband through the local church. But Mary Ann’s remarkable intellect and growing self-confidence are forming progressive new ideas in her mind; ideas that challenge her father’s most strongly held beliefs. Fuelled by every new book she reads and a burgeoning friendship with local radicals, Mary Ann finds it increasingly difficult to accept the rules of the world around her – bringing her into direct and bitter conflict with the father she adores. But perhaps that is the only way forward: to break every societal convention expected of her, find her voice, and become the writer she has always dreamt of being. After all, who can suppress the astounding gifts of future literary titan, George Eliot? Alexi Kaye Campbell’s witty and topical new play questions how we can live alongside those we disagree with, and places centre stage the untold story of one of England’s greatest writers, in a poignant exploration of family ties and self-determination. Elizabeth Dulau (Star Wars: Andor) and Owen Teale (Game of Thrones) star as Mary Ann and Robert Evans. Alexi’s previous work includes the Olivier Award-winning The Pride (Royal Court/West End), Apologia (Bush/West End) and Sunset at the Villa Thalia (National Theatre). Anna Ledwich returns to Hampstead, where her previous credits include The Billionaire Inside Your Head, Labyrinth and the Olivier nominated productions of Dry Powder and Four Minutes Twelve Seconds.