Sushi for Christmas dinner, a hip hop fanatic Gran and a revealing painting of Dolly Parton; this play has everything, including the kitchen sink. From one of Britain’s most exciting young writers, Tom Wells, The Kitchen Sink is an irresistibly funny modern family drama about big dreams, small towns and looking after each other.
Kath has her hands full. She’s working two jobs and experimenting in the kitchen, and her family’s aspirations aren’t going to plan. Her husband, Martin, is a milkman whose milk flat is falling apart as fast as he’s long customers, son, Billy, doesn’t think his painting is good enough for art school and daughter, Sophie, has shattered her dreams of becoming a Ju Jitsu teacher by punching her Sensei in the face.
The Kitchen Sink shot writer Tom Wells to stardom, winning him the Most Promising Playwright Award at the Critics’ Circle Awards and the George Divine Award for Most Promising Playwright, plus a nomination for Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s production features Sue Devaney, the Coliseum’s own Gracie Fields (Our Gracie, 2016), best-known for television roles Dinnerladies, Casualty and Coronation Street and a former member of Oldham Theatre Workshop, as Kath.
Sue commented: “When I knew my favourite local theatre, Oldham Coliseum, was doing The Kitchen Sink by Tom Wells I was over the moon. I’ve been a fan of the writer since it was first produced in 2011. Kath, my character, is a warm hearted, funny and hard-working Mum who loves her kids unconditionally. She reminds me very much of my dear Mum who died 13 years ago. The play takes place in a family kitchen; it’s a slice of real life with quirky eccentricities which a lot of families possess. It’s a play full of hope, humour and love. I’m playing the Mum, I’m playing my Mum… she would have loved this play!”
Sue is joined by Will Travis as Martin ,David Judge and two more former members of Oldham Theatre Workshop, Sam Glen and Emily Stott.
The Coliseum’s production of The Kitchen Sink comes from the same team as the theatre’s hit production of Tom Wells’ Jumpers for Goalposts in 2016; Director Chris Lawson and Designer Anna Reid.
Director Chris Lawson, commented: “Tom Wells writes stories that matter; we relate to them because they reflect real life. After our production of Jumpers For Goalposts, I’m really excited to be working on another of his plays, exploring the dynamics of different relationships within the same family with a great cast of northern talent, most of whom started their training right here in Oldham.”
Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s production of The Kitchen Sink is sponsored by New Charter Group.
The Kitchen Sink runs from Friday 9 – Saturday 24 February 2018 at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
Tickets can be booked on 0161 624 2829 or at www.coliseum.org.uk
Link to production page: http://www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/the-kitchen-sink/
