BEVERLEY – The people who keep the show running rarely get the applause.
They’re the stage crew, technicians and backstage staff who work in the shadows, making sure every entrance, every lighting cue and every curtain call happens without a hitch.
Now, one of Britain’s best loved playwrights is putting them firmly in the spotlight.
Acclaimed writer John Godber returns to East Riding Theatre this summer with This is the Life, a brand new comedy that promises laughter, warmth and a heartfelt tribute to the people audiences seldom see.
Running from 27 June to 11 July, the play follows Dave and Sapphire, two loyal backstage workers who have spent years at the fictional Old Forge Theatre. Happy to stay out of the limelight, their quiet world is turned upside down when they discover the much loved venue is facing closure.
Rather than accept defeat, the pair decide to create a show of their own, drawing on the colourful characters, memorable mishaps and extraordinary moments they’ve witnessed from behind the curtain over the years.
Can they save the theatre they love, or is it destined to become yet another block of luxury flats?
Blending sharp comedy with genuine affection for local theatres, This is the Life explores hope, resilience and the magic of live performance through the eyes of two unlikely heroes.
John Godber, whose plays have entertained audiences for decades, believes this could be one of his funniest works yet.
He said: “This is the Life is one of the funniest plays I’ve written in the last twenty years, in my humble opinion.
“One evening, whilst watching a get out, the idea came to me to write about the people who work in the dark backstage, the theatrical underdogs.
“I started to wonder what life would be like if these stalwarts of our theatrical art were to be given a voice. If all the world is a stage, then this is the life that lands right in the middle of it.”
East Riding Theatre has become one of Beverley’s cultural success stories, regularly attracting nationally recognised productions while championing Yorkshire talent. Hosting the latest work from John Godber continues that tradition, offering local audiences the chance to see a brand new play from one of the country’s most successful playwrights in an intimate setting.
This is the Life runs at East Riding Theatre from 27 June until 11 July, with an accessible performance on Wednesday 8 July at 2.30pm.
Tickets and further information are available from the East Riding Theatre box office.