The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse

A wickedly funny new play that explores the enigma of Mary Whitehouse: pearl-clutching prude or ‘the most dangerous woman in Britain’?

In the 1970s, one twinkly old lady wielded extraordinary influence, fighting against what she believed was the UK’s moral decline. Armed with only a typewriter in her garden, this seemingly harmless grandmother took on the BBC and the ‘godless media’ in a culture war that divided the nation.

Caroline Bird delves into Whitehouse’s most explosive battle—her infamous blasphemy trial against Gay News, which revealed the shocking power behind her sweet smile. It will challenge your beliefs about freedom, censorship, and explore one woman’s formidable resolve to push back the tide.

Known for her iconic stage and TV appearances (Hamlet, A Streetcar Named Desire, Dinnerladies, Shameless, Silk, The Village, Inside No. 9, See No Evil, Black Mirror), Maxine Peake brings this fascinating and outrageous character to life.

Samuel Barnett will take on over 15 diverse roles as the second cast member, including her mother, a documentary filmmaker, a Roman centurion, Margaret Thatcher and Jesus.  He was winner of the first ever Edinburgh Award, and the Scotsman Fringe Award for the one-man show Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen, and Tony award-nominated for both Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, and Twelfth Night.