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Dixon and Daughters

a new play by Deborah Bruce
a co-production with Clean Break

The profile photos of three women, superimposed and offset, one above the next

Booking and details

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Watch on National Theatre at Home

This production played in the Dorfman Theatre from 15 April – 10 June 2023.

If this house could speak

Mary has just been released from prison. She wants to come home and forget all about it but Briana has other ideas.

Over a tumultuous two days a family is forced to confront not just their past but themselves. Because even if you refuse to hear the truth, the truth doesn’t go away.

Róisín McBrinn (Artistic Director, Gate Theatre, Dublin) returns to Clean Break (Favour) to direct this powerful story of family and forgiveness by Deborah Bruce (The House They Grew Up In).

The cast includes Brid Brennan (The Ferryman), Liz White (Anatomy of a Scandal) and Andrea Lowe (Sherwood).

Performed 15 April — 10 June 2023 in the Dorfman Theatre.

★★★★

‘Carried off cooly by a first rate cast.’

The Observer 

★★★★

‘Deeply affecting.’

The Stage 

★★★★

‘Disturbing and memorable.’

Time Out 

★★★★

‘A powerful piece of drama.’

The i

★★★★

‘There is both humour and horror.’

Guardian 

★★★★

‘As moving as it is mighty.’

Daily Mail 

★★★★

‘An important story that needs a spotlight shone on it.’

Gay Times 

★★★★

‘Offers a powerful perspective.’

Broadway World

8 Reviews

Suitability

Please note this production contains: References to violence against women and girls including child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Depictions of alcohol addiction and loud noises.

For further information, self care practices and synopsis, please download our Self Care Guide (PDF 487KB)

 

Gallery 

Yasmin sits on a floral patterned sofa wearing a green cardigan, khaki coloured combat trousers and white trainers she has long brown hair. She sits next to an older woman with grey hair, wearing a green rain mac, a flroal white t shit, black pedal pusher jeans with brogue flat pumps. In front of them is a brown wood coffee table, which has a mug and remotes on it. It is on top is a green rug with a boarder.
Yasmin sits on a floral patterned sofa wearing a green cardigan, khaki coloured combat trousers and white trainers she has long brown hair. She sits next to an older woman with grey hair, wearing a green rain mac, a flroal white t shit, black pedal pusher jeans with brogue flat pumps. In front of them is a brown wood coffee table, which has a mug and remotes on it. It is on top is a green rug with a boarder.
Yasmin sits on a floral patterned sofa wearing a green cardigan, khaki coloured combat trousers and white trainers she has long brown hair. She sits next to an older woman with grey hair, wearing a green rain mac, a flroal white t shit, black pedal pusher jeans with brogue flat pumps. In front of them is a brown wood coffee table, which has a mug and remotes on it. It is on top is a green rug with a boarder.
View 11 images
A white woman with a brown long bob stands with her hand on a wooden dining chair looking to the right she has blue eyes. She wears a long light brown coat a red cotton scarf, underneath she wears a orange knitted jumper and jeans. She wears a silver chain and hoop earrings. A white woman with a brown long bob stands with her arms folded. She wears a Royal Blue roll neck jumper with a vertical striped pattern, over the jumper she wears a red cotton scarf, a silver chain and hoops. She is looking up. Yasmin sits on a floral patterned green rug, with a boarder, she has her arm up resting on a floral patterned footstool. She is wearing a green cardigan, a brown crop top khaki coloured combat trousers and white trainers she has long brown hair. She is looking down at the mobile phone she is holding in her hands. Behind her on a sofa sits Liz a woman with a brown long bob, She wears a Royal Blue roll neck jumper dress with a vertical striped pattern, over the jumper she wears a red cotton scarf, a silver chain what has a silver ring at the end and silver hoops. She is looking up, with her head resting on her hand. Her elbow is resting on the back of the sofa. A older woman with grey hair scraped into a messy bun and secured by a orange hair scrunchie site on a white sofa with orange, yello and green floral patters. She wears a pink cardigan, a darker pink top with black leopard print spots and grey trousers underneath. In front of her is a brown wood coffee table, which has remotes, a card, coasters and a magazine. She is looking shaken whilst staring into the middle distance with her eye brows raised. She is playing absent mindly with a silver chain around her neck. The woman has brown dark hair and she wears a purple dress. She wears black leggings and black boots. She has red lipstick on, she is looking at a woman sat on a blue armchair she is wearing red socks, black exercise leggings with a blue and a grey stripe. She is wearing a pink top with writing on it and has a blue blanket over her, she has black hair and is looking away from the other woman. She is holding her hand up which has an injury which the other woman is trying to treat. An older woman with grey hair cut into a bob sits on a bed, illuminated by a bed side lamp. She is speaking into a mobile phone that she is holding to her ear, she wears an pink night gown with short sleeves. She is holding a pamphlet. In the background you can see photos on the walls. Two women sit on a white sofa with orange, yellow and green floral patters. In front of her is a brown wood coffee table, which has remotes, a card, coasters and a magazine, a can of coke and a bowl. The woman on the right is blonde and has her hair scraped back into a ponytail. She is wearing a grey onesie that has heart patterns on it. She is reclining with her arms folded, looking to her left at another woman. The other woman wears a denim jacket, brown tracksuit bottoms and white trainers and socks. She has dark brown hair that is loose. She is also reclining and looking at the other woman smiling. A woman is standing by a door frame, behind her is a hallway leading to a front door with a patterned carpet. In front of her is a coffee table with remotes and a box of tissues on. There is also a blue worn our arm chair with wooden handles and a pink throw pillow with ruffled edges is on it. The woman has long brown dark hair and she wears a purple dress with a gold belt chain that has sever chains hanging off it. She wears black leggings and black boots. She has red lipstick on and is looking up towards the top right. A woman sits on a a white sofa with orange, yellow and green floral patters. The woman has long brown dark hair and she wears a purple dress with a gold belt chain that has sever chains hanging off it. She wears black leggings and black boots. She has red lipstick on and is looking up towards the top right. She has one hand on the cushion next to her.

Production images

Video

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Behind the scenes at Clean Break

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Actor Liz White in the rehearsal room for Dixon and Daughters
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Watch a scene in rehearsal

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Supporters

With thanks to the Arete Foundation, who support the National Theatre to make work that is ambitious and socially relevant.

 

Cast

Bríd Brennan
Brid Brennan photo portrait

Bríd Brennan

Mary

Alison Fitzjohn
Alison Fitzjohn photo portrait

Alison Fitzjohn

Briana

Yazmin Kayani
Yazmin Kayani photo portrait

Yazmin Kayani

Ella

Andrea Lowe
Andrea Lowe photo portrait

Andrea Lowe

Julie

Posy Sterling
Posy Sterling photo portrait

Posy Sterling

Leigh

Liz White
Liz White photo portrait

Liz White

Bernie

 

Production team

Writer

Deborah Bruce

Deborah Bruce

Director

Róisin McBrinn

Róisin McBrinn

Set and Costume Designer

Kat Heath

Kat Heath

Lighting Designer

Paule Constable

Paule Constable

Sound Designer

Sinéad Diskin

Sinéad Diskin

Movement Director

Sarita Piotrowski

Sarita Piotrowski

Fight Director

Bethan Clark

Bethan Clark

Casting

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Casting

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Dialect Coach

Michaela Kennen

Michaela Kennen

Company Voice Work

Shereen Ibrahim

Shereen Ibrahim

Wellbeing Practitioner

Samantha Llewellyn

Samantha Llewellyn

Associate Lighting Designer

Mildred Moyo

Mildred Moyo

Staff Director

Monaé Robinson

Monaé Robinson

From the bookshop

Dixon And Daughters Playtext

£10.99

Dixon And Daughters Playtext

Dixon And Daughters Programme

£5.00

Dixon And Daughters Programme

Rebel Voices

£14.99

Dixon and Daughters collection: Rebel Voices

 

 

Photography (Alison Fitzjohn, Andrea Lowe, Liz White) by Joné Reed