Newcastle-born pioneering feminist Mary Astell meets Virginia Woolf in the afterlife, resulting in a wild and thought-provoking clash of minds in this witty and imaginative play.
The production comes from one of the country’s most prominent and prolific playwrights, Shelagh Stephenson, best known for The Memory of Water and Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing. In this work, Stephenson brings to life the often-overlooked Astell (1666–1731), long regarded as a ‘proto-feminist’, and imagines her meeting with Woolf (1882–1941) in a waiting room in the afterlife. This inventive premise allows Stephenson to explore what these two champions of women’s rights might have said to one another, combining intellectual debate with sharp humour in a fast-paced, engaging script.
The production is directed by Scottish-born, North East–based director Karen Traynor, who has previously received critical acclaim for ‘Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light’ (2023) and ‘Billy and Teddy’s Amazing Adventure’ (2026). Her direction brings both clarity and vitality to Stephenson’s language-rich writing, ensuring the ideas remain accessible as well as entertaining.
Part of Live Theatre’s Radical North East Season, which showcases female-centred work, this new comedy blends sharp humour with intellectual depth. Packed with dark comedy, vivid language, and urgent feminist themes, the play places a welcome spotlight on Astell alongside her more celebrated counterpart Woolf. Expect original ideas, lively exchanges, and provocative humour in this thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking production.
Tickets, priced from £23.00 in advance, are available at live.org.uk.
