by Bea Roberts

South Devon, 2001. Jeff is a dairy vet with a problem. Michael is a cattle farmer - he is a problem. The two men have a begrudging respect for one another, usually expressed through a shared fag, a nip of whisky and some boisterous banter.

 

But when Foot and Mouth sweeps across the UK countryside their friendship - and indeed their whole way of life – is thrown into question. Michael watches in disbelief as his cows are rounded up, and to his horror, it is Jeff brandishing the gun.

 

Tender, funny and full of love, And Then Come The Nightjars is a story of male friendship against the odds, and a tribute to vanishing ways of rural life.

 

Winner of the Theatre503 Playwriting Award 2014 and nominated for six Off West End Awards 2016, including Most Promising Playwright.

 

National tour from September - October 2016.

Cast & Crew

 

Michael David Fielder

Jeff Nigel Hastings

 

Director Paul Robinson
Designer Max Dorey
Lighting Designer Sally Ferguson
Composer Olly Fox

Sound Designer Max Perryment

 

A Theatre503 and Bristol OldVic 

co-production in association with Tara Finney Productions

 

Generously supported by Arts Council England and The Richard Carne Trust

 

#NightjarsPlay

 

 

View Tour Trailer

Tour Dates

 

14 – 17 September

Live Theatre, Newcastle

 

20 – 24 September

The Drum, Plymouth

 

29 September – 1 October

Salisbury Playhouse

 

4 – 5 October

North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

 

6 October

Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Taunton

 

8 October

Clapton & Wayford Village Hall

 

11 October

The Acorn, Penzance

 

13 October

Tolmen Centre, Nr Falmouth

 

15 October

Plough Arts Centre, Torrington

 

17 October

Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis

 

19 – 20 October

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

 

21 – 22 October

Derby Theatre

Reviews

 

★★★★

The Reviews Hub, Plymouth

 

"I don’t recall seeing a finer performance all year"

Exeter Express & Echo

 

★★★★

The Reviews Hub, Salisbury

 

★★★★

"intensely funny...a small gem of a play from a writer to watch"

Daily Telegraph

 

★★★★

"a savagely funny and sad play directed with real delicacy"

The Guardian

 

★★★★

"tender...heartbreaking"

Time Out

 

★★★★

"a stirring requiem for the vanishing dignity of rural England"

Evening Standard

 

★★★★★ Everything Theatre

★★★★★ Full Stop Theatre

★★★★ The Stage

★★★★ The Londonist

★★★★ Ginger Hibiscus

★★★★ Everything Theatre

★★★★ The Upcoming

★★★★ Whats On Stage

★★★★ LondonTheatre1

★★★★ The Public Reviews

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