“What we have here are human stories – unforgettable stories of peoples’ lives…”
Summer 2025 will see the world premiere of a brand-new play His Last Report, which focuses on the life and legacy of one of York’s most influential figures: Seebohm Rowntree. Applications are now open for local people to get involved in the cast, under 16’s cast, choir, wardrobe department and photography group.
York Theatre Royal are looking for around 80 adults and two teams of 12 young people aged between 10 and 15 years to join the community cast as well as volunteers for the choir and to support backstage making costumes and taking photos.
Focusing on pioneering social reformer Seebohm Rowntree and his ground breaking investigation into the harsh realities of poverty, the play will be told through the voices of York’s residents, both past and present.
Seebohm’s findings illuminate the struggles of the working class, laying the foundation for the welfare state and sparking a movement that will redefine life as we know it. But when we fast forward to present day York, what is Seebohm’s real legacy as the Ministry begins to dismantle the very structures he championed?
Written by Misha Duncan-Barry and Bridget Foreman, this powerful play delves into the life and legacy of one of York’s most influential figures to tell a local story with a national impact.
Juliet Forster, Creative Director of York Theatre Royal and Co-Director of His Last Report said: “From the outset we’ve been keen to ensure that our next community production is a real collaboration with local people. We’ve already had help with identifying what the play should focus on and support with invaluable research into the history of the period and in exploring potential characters. A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved so far. We are very excited to now open up the volunteer opportunities for cast, choir and wardrobe and give more people the chance to get involved both on and off stage. His Last Report tells a fascinating York story and I can’t wait to work with the people of York to bring Misha and Bridget’s script to life.”
Paul Birch, Artistic Director of Riding Lights Theatre Company and Co-Director of His Last Report said: “York is an actor’s city and has been making extraordinary community plays for hundreds of years. I am so thrilled to be co-directing His Last Report with Juliet and to work with such a large cast on a production of this scale. We would love all those in the city who want to continue in the tradition of making powerful community theatre to join us. Even if you haven’t acted before, this is the perfect opportunity to try something different, meet new people and learn some new skills. Everyone is welcome!”
York Theatre Royal’s last community production Sovereign, which took place outdoors in the grounds of the historic King’s Manor in 2023, played to sold out audiences. Hundreds of local people helped to make the show possible both onstage and behind the scenes.
Volunteers for the cast (adults and under 16’s) are invited to express their interest via the links below before Wed 08 Jan 2025. Introductory workshops are set to take place in January 2025.
No experience is required to get involved in the community production and all are welcome.
Cast – https://form.jotform.com/242972915992371
Under 16s Cast – https://form.jotform.com/242973497944374
An initial script workshop will also be taking place on Mon 09 Dec from 7.30pm until 10pm, and anyone interested in attending this can sign up on the YTR website.
Volunteers for the photography group can sign up here before Fri 20 Dec: https://form.jotform.com/243026581527355
Volunteers for the choir and wardrobe team should register using the links below, with a deadline of Wed 22 Jan 2025.
Choir – https://form.jotform.com/243026573128353
Wardrobe – https://form.jotform.com/242844245570357
Rehearsals for the production start week commencing 21st April 2025 – including Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus Saturday daytimes (timings to be confirmed.)
Dates for the production and tech rehearsals are below. All cast and choir members must be available for all of these dates:
Tech weeks: w/c 7 July 2025 & w/c 14 July 2025
Opening Night: 19 July 2025
Show schedule:
Saturday 19 July 7.30pm
Tuesday 22 July 7.30pm
Wednesday 23 July 7.30pm
Thursday 24 July 7.30pm
Friday 25 July 7.30pm (British Sign Language Interpreted Performance)
Saturday 26 July 2pm & 7.30pm
Tuesday 29 July 7.30pm
Wednesday 30 July 7.30pm
Thursday 31 July 7.30pm
Friday 01 Aug 7.30pm
Saturday 02 Aug 2pm (Captioned Performance) & 7.30pm
Sunday 03 Aug 2pm (Audio Described Performance)
Opportunities for further volunteers to help out backstage in areas such as stage management, lighting, props, marketing, fundraising and front-of-house will be announced in 2025.
The show is supported by our partners Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors.
Tickets for His Last Report go on general sale on 30 Nov at 1pm, with YTR members priority booking now open. Tickets from £15. More details about the show can be found here.
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