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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 p.m.-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.

 

Users can access materials from the National Theatre’s 1994 production by booking to come in to the National Theatre Archive. An extract of the play can be listened to here.

Find the script

Leave Taking

Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Year published: 2018

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

Link to Poster

Poster

Ref: RNT/PP/2/4/165

National Theatre Archive

Link to Education Background Packs

Education Background Packs

Ref: RNT/E/3/3/137

National Theatre Archive

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