September 2025

Is there really more that unites us than divides us?

A Lyric Hammersmith Production. Directed by Rebekah Murrell. Associate Directed by Jordi M. Carter.

FRIENDSGIVING

Written by Shona Graham.

A group of childhood friends meet for a strained Friendsgiving dinner, and whispers become legitimate concern when one member starts voicing worrying opinions.

THE MENDING CIRCLE

Written by Chloe Yates.

A community clothes mending circle is locked in by a terrible storm, their safe space under threat by a stranger who arrives with very differing views to their own.

This double-bill performance explores how conflicting beliefs, political landscape, and online radicalisation has the potential to tear friendships apart, and what can overcome this to bring us back together. Friendsgiving by Shona Graham and The Mending Circle by Chloe Yates were selected from 200 submissions to the Bill Cashmore One Act Play Award, to be performed by the Lyric Springboard 2025 Trainees.

Cast

Jacob Louis Baker • Thusika Baskaran • Nathaniel Ekundayo • Vanessa Glorie • Chineacea Rose • Bekham Salehani • Shanay Sommers • Rebecca Wahu • Princess Williams

Creative Team

Director — Rebekah Murrell
Associate Director — Jordi M. Carter
Set & Costume Designer — Willoughby Brow
Lighting Designer — Ros Chase
Sound Designer — Kayode Gomez
Dramaturgical Support — Annabelle Sami