Rules for Living by Sam Holcroft – 13-15 November 2025

Everyone creates their own coping strategies or rules for living. But what happens when an extended family gathers in the kitchen for a traditional Christmas and they each follow those rules, rigidly?

As long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare, even Mum, who’s been preparing this lunch since last January, becomes embroiled. Time-honoured rivalries and resentments will out. Accusations fly, relationships deconstruct, the rules take over.

In Sam Holcroft’s theatrically playful, dark comedy the instructions are there for all to see, audience included – so there’s really no place to hide.

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Cast     

Matthew – Ivan Phillips
Carrie – Jess Landy
Sheena – Meaghan Munro
Adam – Stephen Charles
Edith – Diane Morrad
Francis – Barry Woolhead
Emma – Charlotte Barber

Crew

Director : James Barnard
Assistant : Hamish Robb
Prompt and Director’s Assistant : Beth Moore
Stage Manager : Tracy Rudeforth
ASM : Lewis Muir
Properties: Jo Roskilly
Lighting : Ruth Wall and Robert Evans
Sound : Phil Ross
Set Construction : Ivor Davies, Robert Evans, Graham Frost, Kevin Hudson, Samantha Powell, Jo Roskilly, Phil Ross