A play written by a former pupil of a Letchworth school is set to be staged at a prestigious London theatre.

With unexpected time on her hands during lockdown, Letchworth's talented Lucinda Coyle wrote Our Last First.

The scene is set as four actors walk onto the stage. Uncast. With one story to tell. But who will tell it?

Lucinda, a former St Francis' College pupil, is excited to see her work hosted by the renowned Union Theatre near Southwark later this month.

Speaking to Letchworth Nub News, Lucinda explained: "It was lockdown two, and once again I was an unemployed actor with no sign of my industry coming back and was already being told to retrain, like Fatima.

"For those who don't know our industry, it's hard most of the time due to it being over saturated, but with roles even harder to get, everything was looking a bit bleak.

"I've always written, from a young age, but never quite had the confidence to share it with anyone. But during the second lockdown, I began to get an idea of two characters, a relationship. I wrote a scene between them and left it to one side and of course forgot about it.

"In lockdown three I was inspired by talking to a fellow actor who was fed up of being told by casting directors they 'just didn't look right for the role' and was concerned by the lack of roles in particular for those who identity as non-binary.

"I then began to think what if a play was written to be played by anyone and everyone."

Written without pronouns, genders, ages or physical descriptions of any kind, the play is designed to be played by any and every actor.

Lucinda says that for far too long romantic leads in theatre have all looked the same, not reflecting the society we live in.

"Everyone experiences love," she adds, "It is universal, so why aren't we seeing everyone represented on stage? Our Last First is changing that.

"Had Covid not happened I'm not ever sure the play would exist, or at least it certainly wouldn't be happening now.

"Though Covid was rough for many creatives what it did give us was time to focus on what really matters.

"For me that is using my voice to try and affect change in my industry, a world which I adore but which needs shaking up."

Our Last First follows the lives of A and B, as we watch them go through the firsts (and lasts) of their relationship, and meet the people along the way who alter their journey.

Cast live at the start of each performance, each show is guaranteed to be unique, as relationships are.

For more information see the Twitter feed @OurLastFirst and Instagram account @ourlastfirst_theplay

To book tickets call 020 7261 9876

Cast:

Jonathan Case

Louis Raghunathan

TIME 730pm