And Then Come The Nightjars
Location
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1QR
Telephone
01284 769505- Date
- 6th March 2026 - 21st March 2026
About this event
A Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds In-House Production. Written by Bea Roberts. Directed by Owen Calvert-Lyons.
A tender, frank and funny play about an unlikely friendship between a Devon farmer and the vet who is assigned to cull his precious herd.
“savagely funny” – The Guardian
Michael is a cantankerous farmer whose only love are his prize-winning cows, Jeff is an alcoholic vet whose wife is about to leave him for the local estate agent. As this pair find themselves in the epicentre of the 2001 Foot and Mouth pandemic they forge a friendship through humour in the face of adversity. With the army at the gates, Michael is desperate to save his beloved herd. Can Jeff save Michael’s farm? And can Michael save Jeff from himself? And can obscure trivia about 1980’s Dutch footballers help them to do it?
Bea Roberts play is a poignant, riotously funny and deeply moving exploration of unexpected friendships, and the losses that can draw us together.
And Then Come The Nightjars was joint winner of the inaugural Theatre503 Playwriting Award.
“A tender, finely observed portrait of male friendship, and a stirring requiem for the vanishing dignity of rural England” – Evening Standard
“A right little cracker, a small but beautifully observed two-hander about a dying way of life and male friendship that spans 12 years… a savagely funny and sad play” – The Guardian
Access Performances:
BSL Interpreted: 7:30pm, Fri 13 March
Audio Described: 7:30pm, Sat 14 March
Captioned: 2pm and 7:30pm, Thurs 19 March
Treatt 2-4-1 Offer
TREATT are continuing their generous 2-4-1 ticket offer on Theatre Royal productions, including this one! The Treatt 2-4-1 offer is available on band D seats (pink).
Simply put two band D seats in your basket and enter the promo code TREAT241, and the offer will apply automatically at checkout.
Limited 2-4-1 tickets available.
About the Venue
Theatre Royal presents a vibrant, year-round programme of drama, music, dance and comedy, featuring many of this country’s leading companies and performers.
It has built a reputation of producing quality dramas and productions including the ever popular annual pantomime. Browse what’s on at www.theatreroyal.org/upcoming.
Alongside our on-stage programme of shows, the theatre offers a wide-ranging educational and community-based programme of activities and opportunities to engage people from 5 – 105 years of age, see more about our community involvement work at www.theatreroyal.org/get-involved
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds was designed and built in 1819 by William Wilkins. With many of its original features still intact, it is a superb example of a Regency playhouse and one of the most beautiful, intimate and historic theatres in the world.
Guided Tours operate from 7 April to 27 August bookable through Theatre Royal’s Website or from the box office. If you have requests outside of these times do call us to discuss your requirements. www.theatreroyal.org/shows/theatre-tour-2022/
Theatre goers can now also enjoy pre-show dining provided by LÉA: a delicious new artisan food range from award-winning Maison Bleue.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bury St Edmunds and its Regency jewel.
