17 Oct 2026
The Abbey Theatre is hosting a special event to showcase four broad-ranging plays by members of the Company of Ten Writers’ Group.
Stage Two hits the Abbey Theatre Studio in October, and each evening will feature two from four plays.
Come in No. 8 by Marc Harris is set in a geriatric ward and was inspired by a visit he made to see his father in hospital (Content warning: Fleeting mentions of suicide twice and depictions of mental illness throughout.)
“On the same ward as my dad,” says Marc, “was a patient suffering from mental illness who had been there for four months because they had nowhere to go home to. I am hoping that the play will help raise awareness of the lack of specialist places available to look after the ‘forgotten’ people in our society.”
Ready to Go by Becky and Polly Alexander is set on a roadside somewhere in Europe where a mother and daughter are having a Race Across the World-inspired adventure together before daughter leaves home for the first time.
“Polly has just started at drama school,” says Becky, “and the play is a comedy drama coming out of our lived experiences. We took turns to write the play, each of us adding our own voice to make sure the characters are as authentic as possible. There will be lots of parents and young adults who will relate to the play, I am sure.”
Gerald by Jane Fookes gives audience members a ringside seat to experience what happens when Adrian brings his girlfriend to meet his curmudgeonly old dad Gerald for the first time. A very dark comedy ensues.
“A script is only ever truly complete,” says Jane, “when it has an audience, so we’re all very excited to welcome you to see our work.”
Core Values by St Albans Times theatre reviewer Deborah Heath opens the lid on business shenanigans, asking the question: can principled Pilates instructor Peta succeed as a small business owner and still remain a nice person?
“I was inspired to write this piece,” says Deborah, “through personal experience of trying to make a small business work in a saturated environment. And, of course, through my love of Pilates which offers up so much potential for character work and comedy.”
Come In No. 8 and Ready to Go will be showing on Thursday and Saturday October 29 and 31 at 8pm.
Gerald and Core Values will be showing on Wednesday and Friday October 28 and 30 at 8pm.
To book tickets please go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or phone the Box Office on 01727 857861.
