Helen Baxendale Returns To The Stage In New Play The Distance

It was announced today that Helen Baxendale will return to the stage after a break of five years to appear in Deborah Bruce's play The Distance at the Orange Tree Theatre.

Good friends should be there for one another – no matter what. But when Bea returns home after three years abroad having made a bold choice about her life, old friends struggle to support her. Or even to understand. One night in Brighton, things threaten to slide into chaos...

The Distance is a sharply funny play about motherhood (and fatherhood); about keeping control and letting go. Relationships are hard: long-term ones harder still. What does it take to really go the distance?

Helen Baxendale, Emma Beattie and Clare Lawrence-Moody play friends Bea, Alex and Kate in Deborah Bruce’s second full-length play: a tough, funny look at the responsibilities of being a parent, the strength of friendship, and trying to do the right thing. Running 8 October – 8 November, the production is directed by Charlotte Gwinner and designed by Signe Beckmann. The cast also includes Daniel Hawksford, Timothy Knightley, Bill Milner and Oliver Ryan.

The Distance is the second play in Paul Miller’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Orange Tree Theatre.

The Distance

a new play by Deborah Bruce

Directed by Charlotte Gwinner

8 Oct – 8 Nov

Orange Tree Theatre

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2SA

Box Office: www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk | 020 8940 3633 (open 10am to 7pm Mon-Sat).