Leave Taking
By Winsome Pinnock
Year staged: 1987
Opening night: 11/11/1987
Theatre Company: Liverpool Playhouse
Staged in: Liverpool Playhouse
Cast Size: 5
Synopsis
In North London, Del and Viv are soul-sick. Del doesn’t want to be at home; staying out late – 3 pm-the-next-day late – is more her thing. Viv scours her schoolbooks trying to find a trace of herself between their lines. When Enid takes her daughters to the local obeah woman for some traditional Caribbean soul-healing, secrets are spilled. There’s no turning back for Del, Viv and Enid as they negotiate the frictions between their countries and cultures. Two generations. Three incredible women. First produced in 1987 at Liverpool Playhouse, the play won Winsome Pinnock the George Devine Award in 1991.
Listen to an extract of the play. Users can access materials from the National Theatre’s 1994 production by visiting the National Theatre Archive.
Original Cast
Natasha Williams
Del Matthews
Ellen Thomas
Enid Matthews
Locita Lijertwood
Mai
Lisa Lewis
Viv Matthews
Tommy Eytle
Broderick
Production Team
Les Lyon
Lighting
Kate Rowland
Director
Boyes Candida
Designer
Additional Materials
Education Background Packs
Ref: RNT/E/3/3/137
National Theatre Archive
Education Department Show Files
Ref: RNT/E/1/2/37
National Theatre
Cottesloe Production Office Show Files
Ref: RNT/PO/1/1/148
National Theatre
Education Department Programmes
Ref: RNT/PP/1/8/26
National Theatre
Rehearsal and Production Photographs
Ref: RNT/PR/3/434
National Theatre
Press Production Review Files
Ref: RNT/PR/4/1/580
National Theatre