The sensational story of the Mitford sisters…
The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury is set to launch its first ever touring production this September with the world premiere of The Party Girls, a powerful new play by acclaimed writer Amy Rosenthal.
The production, which runs from 1–6 September marks a significant milestone for the Kent-based venue as it begins producing its own work for national audiences. Following its debut at the Marlowe, the show will tour to the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, Malvern Festival Theatre, Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and the Birmingham Rep.
Marlowe Theatre Chief Executive Deborah Shaw hailed the production as a landmark moment for the venue:
“When we first read The Party Girls, we knew we had a majorly important, prescient play on our hands. Amy’s writing captures the sharp wit of Nancy Mitford’s novels while exploring the dangerous rise of populism and extremism, all told through a deeply personal lens. This premiere marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for us—creating original work in Kent and taking it to audiences around the country.”
A timely and politically resonant drama, The Party Girls explores the true story of the notorious Mitford sisters, whose glamorous lives and scandalous allegiances captured the public imagination in the lead-up to the Second World War. Against a backdrop of rising fascism, Amy Rosenthal’s script delves into themes of loyalty, ideology, and family conflict, as sister turns against sister in pursuit of radically different beliefs.
The cast includes Holby City’s Elisabeth Dermot Walsh as Diana Mitford, Kirsty Besterman as novelist Nancy Mitford, Emma Noakes as Jessica “Decca” Mitford, Ell Potter as Unity Mitford, Flora Spencer-Longhurst as Debo Mitford and Joe Coen as American civil rights lawyer Bob Treuhaft.
Director Richard Beecham:
“Amy’s script is rich, funny, and full of emotional depth. It brings the past into urgent conversation with the present, exploring politics through the prism of family, with humour and heartbreak in equal measure. I’m excited to bring this story to life with such a fantastic cast and creative team.”
Rosenthal’s play centres on Jessica Mitford—known as “Decca”—whose political activism and rebellion against her aristocratic roots put her in stark contrast with her sisters. While Nancy yearns to be a great novelist, Diana and Unity are drawn to dangerous fascist leaders in Britain and Germany, and Debo seeks status through marriage into the British aristocracy. As Decca travels across continents for love and purpose, she’s forced to confront whether she can ever fully escape the ties of family and the shadow of history.
The Party Girls opens at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from 1–6 September 2025. Tickets available via marlowetheatre.com.
