Astonishing theatrical artistry
An adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway by Kit Green Jen Hayes has received its world premiere at Storyhouse in Chester (29 May to 6 June 2026).
It is an evening of theatre at its absolute best with gripping high drama softened by moments of great humour, music and even a dance routine.
The stagecraft needed to make an adaptation of Woolf's 'stream of consciousness' novel work is achieved to stunning effect.
Giant screens around the stage project a series of interrelated images linked to an almost subliminal soundscape.
And binding the production so tightly together is a wondrously mesmerising performance by Kit Green.
Clarissa Dalloway's day
On a single day in June 1923, socialite Clarissa Dalloway is preparing for her party, which will be one of the highlights of the season.
In doing so she is drawn in reflection of times past.
At the same time, war veteran Septimus Warren Smith is suffering severe shell-shock and contemplating suicide.
Though Septimus is unknown to Clarissa, his actions will impact on her own desire to bask in the success of her party.
Kit Green, as herself, leads us gently into each of the three scenes depicting the day unfolding, with gentle 'stand-up'.
This embraces songs, audience participation and a dance routine that serves to creates a genuine relationship and rapport between her and her audience.
Kit then becomes Mrs Dalloway and we feel the rollercoaster range of emotions Clarissa is feeling on her big day.
In doing so she merges with, and at times almost melds into, the stage set to stunning effect.
As Lucy, Clarissa's put-upon housekeeper, Kit rotates our emotions completely in hilarious light relief.
In complete contrast, her portrayal of Septimus's mental breakdown is gripping and truly shocking.
Kit also plays all other main characters in Woolf's novel by video link.
It is an astonishing tour-de-force performance by Kit Green and theatrical artistry at its very best.
While Mrs Dalloway, was written over a century ago, Kit Green and Jen Hayes and the whole production team has produced theatre of the highest quality for the 21 Century.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Kit-Green-731346500/
The UK run of Mrs Dalloway
Mrs Dalloway plays at Storyhouse in Chester to 6 June 2026.
Its UK run will also see performances at the Harlow Playhouse (10 and 11 June 2026); Wilton's Music Hall in London (16 to 20 June 2026) and HOME Manchester (24 to 26 September 2026).
More information :
Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway
Published in 1925, Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway tracks a single day in post-World War I London.
Through an innovative stream-of-consciousness style, it weaves together the lives of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society hostess preparing for an evening party, and Septimus Smith, a shell-shocked veteran struggling with severe trauma.
While to focus is on these two characters, their paths never directly cross, but whose experiences mirror each other.
Clarissa Dalloway is a 51-year-old upper-class housewife who steps out to buy flowers for her party.
Her preparations prompt deep reflections on her youth, her past choices in love (such as rejecting her former suitor, Peter Walsh), and the constraints of her marriage to the steady Member of Parliament, Richard Dalloway.
Septimus Warren Smith is a traumatised World War I veteran suffering from severe PTSD (then called 'shell shock'.
Accompanied by his devoted but isolated Italian wife, Lucrezia, Septimus experiences terrifying hallucinations of his fallen war friend, Evans.
Dismissed by incompetent doctors, he tragically chooses to jump out a window to his death rather than be institutionalised.
Storyhouse Chester
Storyhouse is a major community arts culture centre and creative social space in Chester, England.
The restored and revitalised Odeon building houses an 800-seat auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, restaurant and two bars along with a 100-seat boutique, independent cinema.
Storyhouse runs a series of festivals as well as the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and Moonlight Flicks.
During the autumn and spring, Storyhouse stages productions from UK and international touring companies that embrace dance, opera, drama, comedy and music.
In the summer and at Christmas-time, the theatre transforms into a 500 seat thrust stage, to present Storyhouse home produced shows.
The Storyhouse independent cinema, shows new independent and international releases along with blockbusters, cult classics, restorations, family favourites and documentaries.
More information :
https://www.storyhouse.com/