Past performances
The Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton KZN
2 to 4 August 2024
The Baxter Studio Theatre, Cape Town
19 September to 5 October 2024
Theatre on the Square, Sandton
9 to 26 October 2024
My Name is Lucy Barton is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
My Name is Lucy Barton was originally produced on Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, The London Theatre Company, Nicholas Hytner, Nick Starr, in association with Penguin Random House Audio on January 15, 2020.
My Name is Lucy Barton was originally produced by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr for the London Theatre Company at the Bridge Theatre in June 2018.
Elizabeth Strout and Rona Munro
My Name Is Lucy Barton
How Now Brown Cow is proud to present the multiple award-winning My Name Is Lucy Barton.
Written by Elizabeth Strout and adapted by Rona Munro, My Name Is Lucy Barton is the story of a writer reckoning with the legacy of a scarred family life who is coming to terms with the cost of her childhood and the rewards of her art.
The production was presented at the Hilton Arts Festival in August 2024, followed by a season at the Baxter Studio in Cape Town in September 2024. Finally, the production played in Johannesburg at Theatre On The Square until 26 October 2024.
Longlisted for the MAN BOOKER PRIZE 2016, the BAILEYS WOMENS PRIZE FOR FICTION 2016 and a #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout shows the most tender relationship of all – the one between a mother and daughter.
Lucy Barton wakes after an operation to discover – much to her surprise – her estranged mother at the foot of her bed. Over the course of her mother’s visit, she and Lucy seem to reconnect, but just below the surface lies the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life.
Lucy’s encounter with her mother brings into sharp focus her troubled childhood in rural Illinois and her current life in New York City. Knitting these powerful memories together, Lucy begins to come to terms with her past and her future as a writer.
My Name is Lucy Barton is a story for anyone who has questioned how family defines oneself. It is a powerful narrative of hope and triumph about a woman who finds her truth and reclaims her story.
The production starred multiple award-nominated actor Julie-Anne McDowell (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Revlon Girl) and was directed by multiple-award winning Charmaine Weir-Smith (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Train Driver). Designs were by Kieran McGregor (Expelled).
My Name Is Lucy Barton was adapted for the stage as a one woman show by acclaimed TV, Film and Theatre writer Rona Munro (winner of the Evening Standard Award, NOOK Award and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award). It opened at The Bridge Theatre in London in 2018 starring Laura Linney who reprised her role on Broadway in 2020.
What People Are Saying …
‘McDowell delivers a consummate performing,… Kudos to Charmaine Weir-Smith’s direction in keeping the pace revved up at a clip… compelling theatre… My Name is Lucy Barton, the play, South Africa 2024, is a very special piece of theatre.’
Robyn Cohen, The Cape Robyn
‘Julie-Anne McDowell WAS Lucy. Every bit of her - an authentic, intense & vivacious actress…’ Well done Charmaine-Weir Smith - excellent direction. Thanks HOW NOW BROWN COW PRODUCTIONS for bringing us thought provoking theatre. Don’t miss this…one of my top plays this year…’ - Marguerite van Wyk
‘As How Now Brown Cow presents us with their new piece of theatre, we are reminded of their commitment to excellence in everything that they do. The SA premier of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, starring Julie-Anne McDowell, is such a piece…..the frail bond of the two main characters as McDowell moves effortlessly between mother and daughter. McDowell had the audience spellbound’
Broadway World https://www.broadwayworld.com/south-africa/article/Review-MY-NAME-IS-LUCY-BARTON-from-How-Now-Brown-Cow-is-on-at-the-Baxter-20240922
‘In many ways, the story of Lucy Barton is reflected in all of our lives…… Julie-Anne McDowell was amazing to watch… What I really loved about this show was that it was about a woman finding her way in the world’
Jozi Nupen, Sam Says
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553006878329
“Julie-Anne McDowell Hegarty gives an exceptional performance, ensuring that her audience feels every single gut-wrenching emotion, as she artfully transitions between portraying the roles of both Lucy and her mother.” Janice Kelvin Leibowitz
“To say that (Charmaine) and Julie-Anne are a power team would be an understatement; their synergy is a tangible entity!” - Janice Kelvin Leibowitz
“Everything that How Now Brown Cow Productions touches turns to gold. No, diamonds.” - Chet Diepraam
“Julie-Anne McDowell Hegarty gives one of the finest performances of the year.” - Chet Diepraam
“My Name is Lucy Barton is a testament to the power of storytelling and a masterclass in acting, thanks to Julie-Anne McDowell’s gripping performance.” - Lorri Strauss
‘It’s a beautifully moving story, one that’ll have you captivated from beginning to end. Julie-Anne McDowell delivers a brilliant performance and this really just is a must-see.’
Karisa Nicholls, Cape Town My Love
‘‘Charmaine Weir-Smith keeps the pace flowing steadily as Julie-Anne McDowell inhabits the stage with confidence and grace.’
Karen Rutter, Weekend Special
https://weekendspecial.co.za/my-name-is-lucy-barton-review/
‘Julie-Anne McDowell is trefseker in haar vertolking van ma en dogter….My Name is Lucy Barton is teater wat empatie ontlok, wat die kyker pantser en jou in ander se skoene laat loop.’
Laetitia Pople, Netwerk 24 / Die Burger
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/kunste/teater-en-dans/strout-se-lucy-
‘will move you deeply……you have a chance to watch a theatrical delight......go to see 'MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON’ - Brian van Rheede
“The play is a wholly satisfying – and entertaining – slice of a multifaceted life.” - Bruce Dennill
“Worth seeing if you’re looking for theatre that moves you and makes you think.” - Shaun Zietsman (The Something Guy)
“It’s a show that stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre.” - Shaun Zietsman (The Something Guy)
“My Name is Lucy Barton is an absolutely riveting piece of theatre.” - Kirsty Galliard
“It is a thought-provoking and engaging show masterfully produced by How Now Brown Cow Productions.” - Kirsty Galliard
“Julie-Anne McDowell Hegarty held the audience gently in the palms of her hands.” - Sam Nupen (SamSays)
