Living with an Alien at Playhouse East

Living with an Alien is an offbeat comedy-thriller in which a murder has occurred in an isolated village – and seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Michael, a resident in the village, is intrigued but soon discovers that his wife, Lara, is responsible for the crime, and has concealed her terrifying, true identity. When suspicion falls on him, Michael realises the full extent of Lara’s betrayal, and soon Michael and his uncle Frederick appear to be at her mercy. Cut off from outside help, together they are forced to use their ingenuity to escape her non-human clutches.

Described as “really exciting and unusual” (The Hope Theatre, London) and “powerfully suspenseful” (The Depot for New Play Readings), Living with an Alien was a finalist in both The Larking House Playwright’s Intensive 2023, and The Depot for New Play Readings 2024-2025 season. It was published by Next Stage Press in July 2024. Recently, the play was performed in London as part of the New Writing Festival by Collective Acting Studio in October 2025, and to a glowing review by Theatre Life: Living with an Alien – Review of Esme Waters’ darkly comic sci-fi thriller | Theatre Life