A Taste Of Honey

Overview

A Taste of Honey, Shelagh Delaney’s ground-breaking British classic returns to the West End for the first time in 60 years.

When her mother Helen runs off with a car salesman, feisty teenager Jo takes up with Jimmy, a sailor who promises to marry her, before he heads for the seas. Art student Geoff moves in and assumes the role of surrogate parent until, misguidedly, he sends for Helen and their unconventional setup unravels.

Bijan Sheibani (Barber Shop Chronicles) directs Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, One Man, Two Guvnors, Abigail’s Party UK tour) as Helen in this new production from The National Theatre, producers of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Written by Shelagh Delaney when she was nineteen, A Taste of Honey is one of the great taboo-breaking plays of the 1950s, offering an explosive celebration of the vulnerabilities and strengths of the female spirit in a deprived and restless world.

Critic reviews

A Taste of Honey embarks on a well-deserved West End transfer at Trafalgar Studios

⋅ London Box Office

The evening belongs to relative newcomer Gemma Dobson as Jo. Hers is a heartfelt but un-showy, un-vain performance as a rootless, unloved girl seeking something to give her life meaning

⋅ Evening Standard

Delaney’s masterpiece may be more of a simmer than a boil, but it has undoubtedly stood the test of time and remains a classic for a reason

⋅ The Upcoming

It's a pleasure to have this historic drama back in the West End

⋅ London Theatre

Sharp-tongued and unforgiving, Prenger is perfect as Helen

⋅ Broadway World

A Taste of Honey is an enjoyable play with strong performances

⋅ West End Wilma

Jodie Prenger is terrific as the boozy, chain-smoking ‘good-time girl’ Helen

⋅ Londonist

A revival of the 1950s groundbreaking kitchen-sink drama resonates today – helped by bursts of song