Apples in Winter by Jennifer Fawcett
One Mother’s Love. One Last Request. One Apple Pie.
Directed by Claire Parker
Performed by Edie Campbell
OFFIE Finalist Solo Performance 2023
Winner of the National New Play Network Smith Prize for Political Theatre and the Susan Glaspell Award
Nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn prize
Lighting Design - Elisabeth Tooms. Set Design - Andrew Hodson. Voice & Dialect Coach - Suzanne Parke.
Miriam's son has been on death row for 22 years. At midnight the state will execute him. His last request: his mother's apple pie. As Miriam bakes the perfect pie, this extraordinarily powerful and deeply compassionate one-woman play invites us to reflect on the impact of violent crime on its hidden victims, providing a rare opportunity to hear the often-silenced, vilified and ostracised voice: that of the mother of a perpetrator. It both questions how we live with the incomprehensible and offers a cathartic journey into the heart of barely resolvable questions about justice, forgiveness and love.
‘Jennifer Fawcett’s play is hard-hitting enough, but in the right hands it becomes absolutely devastating – and it’s hard to imagine hands more right than those of actor Edie Campbell.’ Theatre Things
‘A beautifully written single-hander and Campbell gives an astonishing performance...Directed brilliantly by Claire Parker…with Elisabeth Tooms’ lighting and Andrew Hodson’s bleak set design really enhancing the emotional impact.’ The Family Stage
‘Apples in Winter is really, really good, with an immensely powerful one-woman performance from Edie Campbell that will leave you feeling shaken and devastated and furious. An absolute must-see…’ Theatre Things
‘a moving and delicately crafted piece on the part of the actor, the writer and director Claire Parker… [it] features a beautifully nuanced performance from Edie Campbell.’ 2nd from bottom
‘It is a gentle domestic scene agonizingly held-fast against a backdrop of violence’ Surrey Advertiser
‘Apples in Winter is really astonishing to watch, with a transfixing solo performance from Campbell and crystal clear direction from Parker which exudes humanity in every moment and builds beautifully to a heartbreaking climax.’ Yorkshire Bylines
Production photos by Harry Elletson Photography, The Playground Theatre London, October 2022
Audiences call Edie's performance 'mesmeric'; 'quiet, powerful and compelling'; 'incredible'; 'beautiful, stunning'; 'a bravura performance' and ‘a tour de force,’ saying that it 'plumbs great depths' and 'shines a light in the dark'.
Andy Keen-Downs, CEO of PACT: ‘Mesmerising one-woman performance by Edie Campbell of Jennifer Fawcett’s superb play Apples in Winter, moving, nuanced, intelligent theatre.’
My Theatre Mates: ‘Audiences can’t heap enough praise on actor Edie Campbell.’
Emma Lucia Hands, Producer and Director: ‘Congratulations LynchPin Theatre on a powerful production of Apples in Winter.’
Errol McGlashan: ‘Went to see this a couple of days ago. Cycled in the pouring rain from East London. Google maps had me going all over the houses. But it was worth it. Catch it if you can.’
John Locke, actor and director: ‘A mesmeric performance…’
Dr Alison Frater, Chair National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance 2015-2021; Co-chair Clean Break Theatre Company:
’Remarkable play and performance… inspiring, love endures.’
Prison chaplain: ‘powerfully gives voice to mothers of offenders…’
Sycamore Tree Prison Fellowship volunteer: ‘This play has the potential to be a catalyst for change.'
Prison programme volunteer: ‘vividly illustrates the ripple effect of crime beyond the immediate “victim”.’
Playwright Jennifer Fawcett came from New York for the UK premiere at The Playground Theatre London, October 2022, joining our stellar line-up of post-show discussion participants including those with lived experience of both the justice and the prison system.
PERFORMANCES
2022
The Playground Theatre, London
2023
Sheffield Hallam University
Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Hampshire
Caux Palace, Caux, Switzerland
The Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
2024
The Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead
South Hill Park, Bracknell
Caux Palace, Caux, Switzerland
Greenbelt Festival, Kettering
The Studio, Derby Theatre, Derby
The Cube at Corby Cube, Corby
Cranleigh Arts Centre, Surrey
2025
The Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth
2026
Edinburgh Fringe, Paradise at the Vault
