SATURDAY 17TH MAY AT 10.30AM
AT THE MARKET THEATRE, LEDBURY
TO BE PERFORMED 16TH – 18TH OCTOBER 2025
Set in the 1930’s, this play centres around Flora Poste, a young, orphaned woman, lacking in financial means, who goes to live with her eccentric relatives at Cold Comfort Farm, a remote and dilapidated estate in Sussex. Flora, who is used to a more refined life, attempts to bring order and modernity to the farm and its dysfunctional inhabitants. The Starkadder family and their extended relatives are a colourful and eccentric group, each with their own quirks and problems. The play explores themes of social satire, rural life, and the struggles of adapting to a new environment. A very tongue in cheek play with lots of scope.
MAIN CAST:
Flora Poste – the main protagonist. A young woman with sharp wit. Age range 18-30.
Aunt Ada – The matriarch of the family and Judith’s mother. A reclusive, miserly old woman who has seen ‘something narsty in the woodshed’. Age range 55-75.
Judith Starkadder – wife of Amos, who is slightly obsessed with Rueben. Age range 45-65.
Elfine – a beautiful and poetic young woman who is drawn to the romantic aspects of rural life. Age range 16 – 22
Amos Starkadder – Judith’s husband andthe charismatic and devout leader of the ‘Quivering Brethren’, a religious cult he has established. Age range 45-65.
SUPPORTING ROLES:
‘Poor daft’ Rennet – female, non-speaking. Age range 25-35.
Mrs Hawk-Monitor – mother of the local squire.Age range 50’s
Reuben Starkadder – eldest son of Amos and Judith. Age Range 30’s.
Sneller – the Hawk-Monitor’s butler. Age range 40-60.
Urk Starkadder – a half-cousin of Amos. Age range 40-60.
Richard Hawk-Monitor – the local squire who eventually marries Elfine. Age range 25-35.
Adam Lambsbreath – old farm hand who is obsessed with his cows. Age range 40-60.
Mr Neck – a Hollywood film producer. Age range 40-60.
Seth Starkadder – younger son of Amos and Judith. Age range 30-45.
Charles – Flora’s cousin. Studying to become a parson. Age range 40-50.
Please note that some parts can be doubled up.
For further information please contact:
Shirley Lewis (Director) – upperhouse1950@gmail.com