Possum Trot at Theatre at the Tabard

Possum Trot by Kathy Rucker – The Birth of a Ghost Town

Award-winning American playwright Kathy Rucker (Crystal Springs; Park Theatre, Eureka
Theatre; Sultan’s Battery, Whitmore-Lindley Theatre; Darling; Hope Theatre) brings small town Nebraska to the Tabard this November with the world premiere of Possum Trot.

Acclaimed for captivating audiences with her timely explorations of contemporary issues, Rucker’s latest production draws inspiration from the ongoing battles faced by family farms across America’s heartland.

Set in Possum Trot, Nebraska, the play follows Maxine—the sharp-witted, big-hearted owner of the town’s only diner—on a harrowing yet often hilarious mission to keep her beloved town on the map.

Maxine, played by Sarah Berger (An Inspector Calls; Doctor Who) faces crises after
crises threatening the town’s survival. From agricultural giants swallowing up family farms, to climate disasters and an exodus of young people fleeing for the city, she fights tooth and nail to preserve the spirit of her small town—all while juggling the equally comic and chaotic dramas of her own family.

The play also proudly features Todd Boyce (Coronation Street, ITV), Nikolas Salmon (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Lionsgate Films; EastEnders, BBC), Dani Arlington (Prima Facie, West End & Broadway), and Neve Francis (Engine Room New Work, Omnibus Theatre).

Rucker’s script balances poignancy with laughter, illuminating the hard truths of rural America while celebrating the resilience, quirks, and humanity of the people who live there. Funny, tender, and deeply moving, Possum Trot reveals that even in the toughest circumstances, humour and community are the glue that hold people together.

Directed by Scott Le Crass (Jab; Park Theatre, Rose; Ambassadors Theatre) and produced by Kevin Nolan (Country Music; Omnibus Theatre), Possum Trot is both a love letter to small towns and a rallying cry for their survival.