Betty! A Sort of Musical is a brand-new show, written by and starring Maxine Peake (Anne, ITV) and Seiriol Davies (Milky Peaks, Theatr Clwyd), running at the Royal Exchange in Manchester from 3 December 2022 - 14 January 2023.

Directed by former Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom, the cast also includes Carla Henry, Lena Kaur, Joan Kempson and Eva Scott.

Sharp and funny, Betty! is a celebration of the human spirit, a joyful and uplifting reflection of the gumption, bravery and strength it takes to speak out.

In a small village hall, The Dewsbury Players (Yorkshire’s most passionate, dedicated and inventive amateur-dramatics society), have come together to celebrate their most eminent local hero, Dewsbury-born Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House. Meredith, her daughter Angela, three equally devoted women (and Calvin), are ready to create the most awesome musical Yorkshire has ever seen! Emboldened by their heroine's indefatigable tenacity, this amateur group prove themselves to be extraordinary women on and off stage. At a time when everything seems so polarised, BETTY is a celebration and for the Dewsbury Players it is a tribute to the unexpected rewards that can come from thinking outside of the dispatch box.

The creative team includes designer James Cotterill, lighting designer Malcolm Rippeth, composer Seiriol Davies, sound Designer Claire Windsor and movement director Chi-San Howard.

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