One For The Road by Willy Russell

16/10/25

This wickedly observant comedy by the author of Educating Rita finds Dennis on the eve of his birthday, making a last-ditch attempt to break away from the
confines of his now restrictive middle-class, housing estate existence. Reaching the breaking point at his birthday dinner (they are middle-class after all), he
prepares to make his escape.

Though everyone reminds him of his responsibilities, Denis stands his ground, for him life on the road IS LIFE. By explaining to each of the group that he
misses the free-living youth he shared with them, he’s come to the decision that this is the time to hit the road and recapture his youth again. And to his surprise (and annoyance), the others agree with him and decide to accompany him on the same basis … oh! and perhaps the kids could come along too…. all sharing a fully fitted modern caravan… like a holiday!

Defeated, as the others can’t see what he is longing for, Denis gives up. But there's always next year ... and the year after ... and the year...

 

This is a fun play, though an ironic reminder of what this generation faced when buying their first homes and settling down. The cast of four comprises of Dennis Cain and his wife Pauline, joined by Jane and Roger for dinner, something that was all the rage at the time on estates. All 4 characters are about the same age as they all went to school together.

Preferably anywhere between 30 – 35 Jane and Roger are determined to better themselves and have taken to life on the estate and are focused on making their way to the top of the estate’s social world.

Pauline is close behind but hasn’t quite made the ‘jump’ yet due to Denis’s attitude about the estate.
Denis has reached his 35th birthday and wonders about his future, which he sees all laid out around him on phase 2. Is this what he really wants?

Reading 14th October at 7.30 p.m.
Auditions 16th October from 7.30 p.m.
Production week: 17 th -24 th January 2026

If you can’t make the reading or auditions but are interested in the production contact Margaet on [email protected]