My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

FATHERLAND Comes to the Hampstead Theatre Next Month

Performances run from 31 October to 29 November.

By:
FATHERLAND Comes to the Hampstead Theatre Next Month

Hampstead Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fatherland – a sharp, tender and darkly funny new play about the chaos of connection by Nancy Farino directed by Tessa Walker. It will play Hampstead Downstairs from 31 October to 29 November, with a press night on Thursday 6 November.

Fatherland marks the writing debut of Nancy Farino who graduated from Hampstead Theatre’s INSPIRE programme for emerging playwrights earlier this year. An actor as well as a writer, Nancy will play Joy.

Jason Thorpe will play Winston. He has recently appeared on stage in The Merry Wives of Windsor and School For Scandal (both RSC).  Completing the cast is Shona Babayemi as Claire whose recent theatre credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night (both Shakespeare’s Globe) and [BLANK] (Donmar).

'Best case scenario we all go with the flow and have an amazing time and eat pies and feel connected to the place from whence we came and maybe meet some people with the same nose as us'

Only good things happen to Winston Smith. Or so he keeps telling himself. Winston loves his job as a life coach, and is even hoping to write a book to share his wisdom more widely. There's just the small matter of a negligence lawsuit to deal with first…

His daughter Joy is tired. Of holding things together. Of pretending to be okay. And of every relationship in her life demanding more than she has to give.

The solution? A spontaneous road trip to County Mayo, in search of their long-lost Irish roots. On a converted school bus with mood lighting, questionable plumbing, and no clear plan; Winston takes Joy on a search for their past by way of hiding from the here and now.

Fatherland is a sharp, tender, and darkly funny new play about the chaos of connection, and how sometimes the only way forward is through a snowstorm on the M6.

Director Tessa Walker returns to Hampstead Theatre where her previous directing credits include Ravenscourt, Biscuits for Breakfast and Big, Big, Sky.

The creative team also includes designer Debbie Duru, lighting designer Christopher Nairne, sound designer Khalil Madovi and movement director Rebecca Wield.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Choreography - Top 3
1. Lauren Yalango-Grant, Christopher Cree Grant - The Lost Boys
22.9% of votes
2. Christopher Gattelli - Schmigadoon!
19.1% of votes
3. Omari Wiles, Arturo Lyons - CATS: The Jellicle Ball
17.6% of votes

Need more UK Regional Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


G4 Christmas 2026 - Boston Stump in UK Regional G4 Christmas 2026 - Boston Stump
St. Botolph's Church (12/18-12/18)
Burn the Floor: Supernova in UK Regional Burn the Floor: Supernova
De Montfort Hall (7/04-7/04)
Fish in a Kettle  in UK Regional Fish in a Kettle
Fabric Studios (5/25-5/30)
Fawlty Towers Weekend 01/08/2026 in UK Regional Fawlty Towers Weekend 01/08/2026
Barton Manor Hotel and Spa (8/01-8/02)
Burn the Floor: Supernova in UK Regional Burn the Floor: Supernova
Marlowe Theatre (6/26-6/26)
The Thrift Oracle by Joy Bomb (aka artist Amy Broch) in UK Regional The Thrift Oracle by Joy Bomb (aka artist Amy Broch)
Illuminate Productions, The White Building (5/28-5/30)
That'll Be The Day in UK Regional That'll Be The Day
New Victoria Theatre (6/03-6/03)
The Del Fuegos at The Lexington - London in UK Regional The Del Fuegos at The Lexington - London
The Lexington (6/20-6/20)
Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me! in UK Regional Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me!
Crewe Lyceum Theatre (3/04-3/04)
SIX The Musical in UK Regional SIX The Musical
Watford Colosseum (3/14-1/31)