The sensational story of the Mitford sisters – The Party Girls

Playwright Amy Rosenthal and Director Richard Beecham in rehearsals. Photo by Mark Senior.

The World Premiere of a Marlowe Theatre Production of The Party Girls – The sensational story of the Mitford sisters. Written by Amy Rosenthal. Directed by Richard Beecham. Set Design by Simon Kenny. At the Belgrade Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 September 2025.

Preview

The glamorous Mitford girls cut a glorious swathe through pre-war high society, amidst the glittering world of debutantes and dukes. But as Fascism rises and political storm clouds crackle over carefree country houses, the bonds of sisterhood are threatened by new and treacherous desires.

Amy Rosenthal’s compelling, touching and witty new play explores the true story of a family riven by political extremism, seen through the eyes of Jessica (Decca) Mitford as she battles to stay true to her beliefs.

The Party Girls cast and crew in rehearsals. Photo by Mark Senior.

Nancy aspires to be a celebrated novelist, Diana and Unity fall for the dangerous, charismatic leaders of the Far Right in Britain and Germany, and Debo sets her cap at a Duke. Meanwhile Decca crosses continents in her own passionate pursuit of love – but can she ever escape her sisters and her past?

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, is delighted to announce the world premiere of a timely and passionate new play by Amy Rosenthal: The Party Girls. This is the first touring production to be produced by the Kent theatre. Opening at the Marlowe in the first week of September (1 - 6 Sep, Press Night Wed 3rd), the production then tours to the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Tue 9 – Sat 13 September), before continuing to Malvern Festival Theatre, Eastbourne Devonshire Park Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and Birmingham Rep.

Inspiration for the Mitford sisters in the rehearsal room. Photo courtesy of Mark Senior.

The cast includes: Kirsty Besterman as Nancy Mitford; Joe Coen as Bob Treuhaft; Elisabeth Dermot Walsh as Diana Mitford; Emma Noakes as Jessica Mitford; Ell Potter as Unity Mitford and Flora Spencer-Longhurst as Debo Mitford.

Marlowe Theatre Chief Executive Deborah Shaw said: “When we first read The Party Girls by Amy Rosenthal we knew we had a majorly important, prescient play on our hands and I couldn’t be more delighted to launch Marlowe Theatre Productions with this world premiere. It showcases our commitment to creating world-class theatre in Kent – establishing a new producing base, working with top creatives and fulfilling the potential of this wonderful theatre and its staff team.

Emma Noakes as Jessica Mitford and Joe Coen as Bob. Photo by Mark Senior.

“Amy’s play captures the wit of Nancy Mitford’s novels and tells a cracking love story across continents, to a backdrop of the rise of extremism and dangerous populist leaders, intent on remaking the world order. The Party Girls, with its great shifts of history seen through a female lens could not be more resonant for our times. I can’t wait to see the brilliant cast assembled by Richard do it full justice in what’s going to be an unmissable production.”

Director Richard Beecham said: “I'm thrilled to be directing the world premiere of Amy Rosenthal's timely new play. Amy's brilliant portrayal of the notorious Mitford sisters explores the present through the past, uncovers the political in the personal, and finds considerable humour amongst all the horror and heartache. And she does it all with the lightest of touches. I'm thrilled with the ace cast and creative team we’ve assembled and can’t wait to start exploring the play and bringing it to life in rehearsal.”

https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/the-party-girls/