Terrain Theatre and Theatre503 are thrilled to announce their upcoming co-production of Helen by Maureen Lennon. Helen is forty when she loses her husband. Becca is fifteen when her dad dies. Then it’s just the two of them, what do they do next? This is the question at the heart of Maureen Lennon’s new play, which was shortlisted for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Prize.
Helen tells the story of a mother and daughter and their evolving relationship. Spanning forty years, the play explores the joys and traumas, laughs and arguments that shape their bond, as they navigate the challenges of life in the aftermath of loss. As they climb up a hillside and find ashes stuck to their trouser legs, they discover what it means to truly love, grieve, and support one another.
“Helen is a play that I started writing in the aftermath of a close, personal loss,” said writer Maureen Lennon, who will be making her London debut. “It’s about grief, but also love and hope. I see it as a bit of a love letter to my mum and mums everywhere.”
Maureen Lennon’s insightful and heartfelt script captures the complexity and intimacy of family relationships with nuance and sensitivity. Directed by Tom Bellerby, Helen promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience that will resonate with audiences long after the final curtain.
Bellerby said: “I’m delighted to be getting this honest, dynamic and poignant play in front of audiences both in London and the North. Maureen’s examination of grief in all its messiness through the eyes of two women saving and hurting each other is a belter of a play that I can’t wait to bring to life.”
Theatre503 is known for showcasing new and exciting voices in theatre, and Helen is no exception. With its moving story, memorable characters and universal themes, this play is sure to captivate audiences and spark conversations about the power of love and resilience in the face of loss.
Lennon added: “I’m so excited to be bringing Helen to Theatre 503, it feels like an incredible platform to share this story I believe in so much. It also feels really special to open a show for the first time in London, and then bring it back to the local audience I love at Hull Truck. I can’t wait to share Helen across the country, as a writer there’s no better feeling.”
Tickets for Helen at Theatre503 and Hull Truck Theatre are available now, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a powerful and thought-provoking play by one of the UK’s most promising playwrights.
The show will run from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 27 May at Theatre503 in London and from Thursday 15 to Friday 16 June at Hull Truck Theatre in Lennon’s home city.
