Royal & Derngate Northampton present THE WELLSPRING by Barney & David Owen Norris

Photo credit: Rebecca Pitt

Royal & Derngate have announced that they will present the world premiere of The Wellspring from 17-26 March, an autobiographical work from award winning playwright Barney Norris and his internationally acclaimed pianist father David Owen Norris for their Made in Northampton 2021/22 season.

The Wellspring examines the age old relationship between a father and his son and how they relate to one another in every sense of the word. Directed by Jude Christian, the play will place the father and son centre stage for an intimate performance. 

Following its run in Northampton, The Wellspring will visit Oxford, Southampton and Guildford, before touring other literary festivals during the summer season. 

Barney Norris said: “The Wellspring is a play about fathers and sons, and a particular father and son who have spent time apart and want to hear each other's stories. It's also about how we end up in the lives we end up in, and the wild, precarious adventure of deciding to be an artist - something my Dad and I both did. We want to use the play to fill auditoria with music, and song, and joy, and happy memory; also with loss, with revelation, with the vulnerability of extreme honesty. We want it to feel, effectively, like being in a family.”

David Owen Norris said: “Music plays as many roles in The Wellspring as it does in all our lives. It triggers memories, shapes our journeys, paints our joy and grief, and brings us laughter, strength and consolation.”

The production is designed by Rosie Elnile, with lighting by Jack Weir and video by Megan Lucas.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked here.