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The History of Mr Polly
Date
September 2026
Role
Set & Costume Designer
Location
Cockpit Theatre, London
Credits
Composer/Conductor: Edward Longstaff
Director: Stuart Barker
Designers: Valassia Barboutis and Maria J. Damia Patino
Lighting Designer: Ace McCarron
Movement Director: Ruth Howard
Assistant Designer: Yagmur Karabacak
Accompanist: John Longstaff
Stage Manager: Julian Johnson
Cast (in order of appearance):
Mr Polly: Robin Bailey
Parsons: Laurie Slavin
Mr Johnson: Jack Holton
Mrs Johnson: Maya Kumana
Annie: Emily McCarthy
Miriam: Sophia Jin
Ma Larkins: Elizabeth Lynch
Christabel: Hailey West
Production photos: Claire Shovelton
Desperate times for Mr Polly!
He’s stuck in a marriage with his cousin and dragged down by their failing shop. He detests them both. How did he let his life get so intolerable?
Was it his failure to make his own choices? His escapism and wanderlust? Or, inspired by the books he so avidly reads, falling head over heels for the unattainable Christabel?
Whatever, he’s reached the point where drastic measures are called for. What else can he do but burn everything down?
Based on H.G. Wells’ comedy of manners, this is an evening of tragicomic, tuneful teasing about the lives of the petit bourgeoisie.
For everyone who knows what it is to have a dream come to nothing.
The production is presented as a staged performance, conducted by the composer, directed by Stuart Barker, with piano reduction of the full score.
