Apples in Winter

One mother’s love. One last request. One apple pie. Miriam's son committed a horrendous crime. Caught, tried and convicted, he has been on death row for twenty-two years. In seven hours the state will execute him. As is the tradition, he is granted a last meal. His request: his mother's apple pie. As Miriam shows the audience how to make the perfect pie, we watch her attempt to understand what happened to her son – and how everything changed that night twenty-two years ago.  The play raises awareness of the long term ripple-effects of violent crime; invites empathy for the families of offenders who live their sentences alongside the perpetrators; and questions what divides us from those we label ‘other’ and onto whom we project our fear, rage and hate. To witness Apples in Winter is to journey deep into the heart of barely resolvable questions about justice, forgiveness and what it is to try to love unconditionally. It is to hear the voices of the silent victims of violence. Winner: Smith Prize for Political Theatre. Susan Glaspell Award. Nominee: Susan Smith Blackburn Prize - the oldest and largest international playwriting prize honouring women+ writing for the English-speaking theatre Finalist: Off West End Award: Solo Performance - Edie Campbell

‘Jennifer Fawcett’s play is hard-hitting enough, but in the right hands it becomes absolutely devastating – and it’s hard to imagine hands more right than those of actor Edie Campbell.’ The Blog of Theatre Things ‘Apples in Winter is really astonishing to watch, with a transfixing solo performance from Campbell and crystal clear direction from Parker which exudes humanity in every moment and builds beautifully to a heartbreaking climax.’ Yorkshire Bylines 'A remarkable piece of theatre which offers a voice to an often-ostracised group of people…the play provides a rare glimpse into the invisible impact of violent crime, from the perspective of those whose suffering is rarely considered.’ The Family Stage ‘The pie – prepared and baked on stage during the performance – might be perfect but everything else is shattered beyond repair, and the play’s last line, spoken with a heartbreaking finality, leaves the audience sitting in stunned silence for several moments after the lights go down.’ The Blog of Theatre Things ‘...a stark digital timer counts down the minutes. Bake Off may sometimes be tense – but it is never as tense as this.’ 2nd from bottom ‘The juxtaposition of the ordinary, wholesome ritual of baking with the harsh reality of Miriam’s situation is extremely effective.’ The Family Stage ‘There is little outward drama but the tense silence…as we watched the clock tick down to the smell of a baking apple pie was astonishing.' Surrey Advertiser ‘The play is hugely powerful in its ability to reach out beyond the stage and touch those in the audience with lived experience of the criminal justice system.’ Yorkshire Bylines