BE MY BABY
by Amanda Whittington
Directed by Amy Phillips
Wed 25th - Sat 28th March 7.30pm (2.30pm matinee)
AUDITIONS: Thursday 8th January 7pm
RECALLS (by invitation): Friday 9th January 7pm
Character list
Mary, aged nineteen; seven months pregnant
Dolores, aged seventeen; three months pregnant
Queenie, aged twenty; four months pregnant
Norma, aged twenty; eight months pregnant
Matron, Head of St Saviour's; age 40s-50s
Mrs Adams, Mary's mother; age 40s-50s
More details coming soon
It’s 1964 but the sixties aren’t swinging for Mary Adams: 19-years-old, unmarried and pregnant. She is sent in secrecy and shame to St. Saviours, a Church of England mother-and-baby home run by a formidable Matron.
Mary is set to work in the laundry and shares a room with the tough-talking Queenie. The girls in the home bond over a love of girl-group records, which entertain, console and inspire as the birth of their babies approaches. When Mary finds she is expected to give up her child for adoption, she begins a desperate fight.
‘Poignant, powerful and still relevant….Whittington’s play about yesterday sings out to today’ - The Observer
'You don't have to be young, female or unmarried to find it immensely touching' - The Times
'Whittington cleverly coats the bitter pill of her characters' experience with the sugared naivety of popular girl-group routines'
- The Guardian
Amanda Whittington has written over 30 plays for theatre and radio, including Ladies' Day, which was performed at the LAC in 2022.
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
Recommended age 12+.
Tickets £17 | £14 concession | £20 supporter ticket
Concessions: over 60, unwaged, children under 16yrs and students.
We offer complimentary tickets for carers accompanying those with disabilities - please contact us for details.
Supporter tickets: for those who feel able to donate a few more pounds to support the work of the Lantern Arts Centre.
Running time: Approx 1.5hrs. Please note there is no interval
Your Visit
Lantern Arts Centre, Tolverne Road, London, SW20 8RA
Food and Drink
Light refreshments will be available in the Lantern Hub. Please note alcohol is not permitted on site at any time.
Accessibility
The Lantern Arts Centre is accessible by wheelchair-users and people with restricted mobility. Lifts are available for studios on the first floor, whereas ramps are in place to access the main auditorium. We have 2 accessible toilets.
Cloakroom
There are no cloakroom facilities for storing bags and coats at the Lantern Arts Centre.
Ticketing
Concessions: over 60, unwaged, children under 16yrs and students. We offer complimentary tickets for carers accompanying those with disabilities - please contact us for details. Once you have booked your seat you will be emailed your e-ticket which will be scanned upon your arrival to the venue. If you are unsure about booking seats please call 020 3761 7070.