Bird Grove

'As long as you only have one sort of person telling the stories, well then our world will end up looking very like that one sort of person. It makes sense, doesn’t it?’

1841. Mary Ann Evans is of marriageable age - just. Her father, Robert, has recently moved with her to Bird Grove House, with the sole purpose of finding her a suitable husband through the local church. But Mary Ann’s remarkable intellect and growing self-confidence are formingprogressive new ideas in her mind; ideas that challenge her father’s most strongly held beliefs.

Fuelled by every new book she reads and a burgeoning friendship with local radicals, Mary Ann finds it increasingly difficult to accept the rules of the world around her - bringing her into direct and bitter conflict with the father she adores. But perhaps that is the only way forward: to break every societal convention expected of her, find her voice, and become the writer she has always dreamt of being. After all, who can suppress the astounding gifts of future literary titan, George Eliot?

Alexi Kaye Campbell’s witty and topical new play questions how we can live alongside those we disagree with, and places centre stage the untold story of one of England’s greatest writers, in a poignant exploration of family ties and self-determination.

Alexi’s previous work includes the Olivier Award-winning The Pride (Royal Court/West End), Apologia (Bush/West End) and Sunset at the Villa Thalia (National Theatre). Anna Ledwich returns to Hampstead, where her previous credits include The Billionaire Inside Your Head, Labyrinth and the Olivier nominated productions of Dry Powder and Four Minutes Twelve Seconds.

Captioned:

• Tuesday, 17th March, 7:30pm
  

Audio Described:

• Saturday, 21st March, 2:30pm

Age Restrictions

Performance Times

Now taking bookings for performances from Fri 13th February 2026 until Sat 21st March 2026.

Show times for each day are below.

Hampstead Theatre Details

Facilities at Hampstead Theatre

Hampstead Theatre Location

Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.