A Taste of Honey, Shelagh Delaney’s taboo breaking play, written in the 1950s when she was just 19, is embarking on a UK tour – including a visit to Canterbury’s The Marlowe Theatre. This British classic is an exhilarating depiction of working-class life in post-war Salford, and offers an explosive celebration of the vulnerabilities and strengths of the female spirit in a deprived and restless world.
Delaney wrote it in just ten days after seeing Terence Rattigan’s Variation of a Theme at the Opera House in Manchester and believing she could do better. Covering relationships, female strength, families and more, it’s a bold and vibrant play that still remains relevant today. Despite being sixty years old, it’s a seminal piece of work with many themes and aspects that still ring true.
The National Theatre production sees Bijan Sheibani (Barber Shop Chronicles), directing Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, One Man, Two Guvnors, Abigail’s Party UK tour) as Helen in this new production.