A Rainbow Over Sheffield. Caxton Theatre, Grimsby. 01 September 2026.

I love it when Grimsby's Caxton Players stage new plays, it was the very raison d'etre for the society coming into existence in the first place - as the Players formed from the team at The Grimsby Telegraph got together to write and produce new plays and then tour then around various RAF bases in Lincolnshire during WW2. When the current building, The Caxton Theatre, was opened in 1983 the Players staged a brand new play called Rabbits by a leading light of the society, who was one of those who put their whole heart and soul into creating a viable theatre within the town, rebuilding the former cinema and later a car showroom, internally, by hand.

That leading light and playwright was one David Wrightam - the same playwright and director responsible for the latest show at the Caxton Theatre - A Rainbow Over Sheffield. down the years, Wrightam has performed with so many societies across the region and set up the fondly remembered youth theatre Class Act, as its first Principal. His plays always generate interest and reflect the authors own tastes rather than being defined by a specific genre. Wrightam likes to tell a good story first and foremost and that is precisely what he has done with his newest play.

Many people will expect a certain style of comedy from a Wrightam play, but they are wrong to expect such in every play. Anyone who saw the varied output at Class Act can testify to that. There are decidedly laugh-out-loud moments in this play, but at the core is a tragic tale of a fractured family and of poverty and desperation. He handles the topics sensitively and with a deft, humane touch, retaining his trademark sense of humour within it.

We meet Rusty, a woman of ill repute, a lady of the night who lives in a decrepit, old flat in Sheffield entertaining punters' kinks, fetishes and fantasies. The fact that Rusty is willing to entertain such requests by dressing up as well-known fictional characters provides much of the humour during the play. Rusty's best friend is Mavis, a neighbour who is willing to step up, dress up and stand in for Rusty if circumstances ever call for her to do so. These two women are as strong as Sheffield steel and have no illusions about life. They are both more than willing to call a spade a chuffin' shovel!

Rusty's younger sister though, is a far more delicate individual and whilst Rusty wishes only the best for her, Dawn finds herself pregnant by her much posher boyfriend, Kevin. Thus, really begins the drama. Meanwhile, an extremely loveable, old, bag lady lady named Ruby also appears, so too does Kevin's father who is a gynaecologist and a weaselly, Sheffield pimp with delusions of hardness, named Jacko. The play follows many twists and turns that I refuse to spoil in a review. I urge you to see the show for yourselves.

David Wrightam has directed this play and generally maintains an excellent momentum throughout, with only one or two (very minor) dips in pace. He brings out excellent performances from his cast and I am delighted to note that we rarely see actors facing each other in profile ( a pet peeve of mine). The director paints a colourful and dynamic picture and gives each character their own moment to shine.

Kimberley Stuart really seems to relish her role as Rusty and manages to make effective use of light and shade in the performance of her character. Her delicate nurturing side balanced against her ruthless pragmatism is performed wonderfully and audiences will love and admire Rusty's choices in life as the drama progresses. It is good to see Stuart return after 15 years performing with other groups. The role stretches her as an actor and she will offer much to the society's acting base moving forward.

Lisa Walker absolutely owns the stage at times, and I was surprised to learn that this play is her debut on stage as an adult. Her bluff vocal tones and dry, sardonic wit fit Mavis's character perfectly, as a woman prepared to back her best friend to the hilt. She has a very strong on stage presence and it will be good to see her perform in future productions with the Caxton Players too.

Lilly Pullen returns to the Caxton Theatre stage in her fourth performance with teh Caxton Players, giving perhaps her strongest performance, in the role of a fragile, broken young woman beaten down by life. Her tears and distress seem quite genuine and somewhat unnerving - but bravo for that. It is a noteworthy performance of a character filled with desperation and fear.

Jasper Barnbrook performs confidently and with great maturity for a young performer. He is developing really well as an actor in a wide variety of roles both at the Caxton Theatre and on other stages. His performance as Kevin elevates him from young performer to a very capable young adult performer. He has come on even since appearing in The Tempest as Caliban at the theatre.

I am delighted by Nadine Bennett-Wood's return to the stage as Ruby, the bag lady. Bennett- Wood really commits to the role and creates an utterly believable character who, despite her reluctance to bathe, wins the audience over by insisting that a good cuppa requires three sugars (if you know, you know). She presents a wonderfully offbeat character with carefree abandon and skill in this play.

Keiron James brings his trademark menace to the role of Jacko, the pimp as he threatens and stalks the women within the play with animal menace. Michael Mayne continues to impress with his performance as Kevin's father, a medical man who really wants his son to wash his hands of Dawn and her associates. He brings gravitas, credibility, and a confident authority to the role. Finally, mention should go the performance of John Solley, in a fleeting (but hysterical) performance as a customer of Rusty and her services.

The first act of the play sets up each character and their back story to allow for a satisfying pay-off in the second act and audiences will certainly be entertained by this memorable, original play from one of Grimsby's most experienced theatrical writer/director/performers and will add to David Wrightam's lasting legacy. The play opens to the public on Saturday 5th September and runs until Saturday 12th, tickets are available through the usual outlets and the theatre box office. I recommend you take the time to savour this brand-new piece of theatre.

Andy Evans 1 September 2026