A bold new play exploring identity, gender and defiance across the centuries is coming to Hereford and Worcester this autumn, as innovative theatre company Lost Cause premieres A Roaring Boy.
A Roaring Boy – local shows
- Wednesday 4 November, The Courtyard Hereford – 7.45pm, Tickets £15.00 to £19.00
- Thursday 5 November, The Swan Theatre Worcester – 7.45pm, Tickets £15.00 to £18.00
Written by Jack Hughes and directed by Ant Stones, A Roaring Boy tells the remarkable story of Robert Gough, the star boy player in Shakespeare’s company, who became famous for playing female roles on the Elizabethan stage.
But as Robert’s voice deepens and his days of playing women come to an end, he finds himself facing a crisis that no costume change can solve. Expected to embrace manhood and take on male roles he has no desire to play, Robert is confronted by a question that feels just as relevant today: who gets to decide who we become?
The production will receive its first full staging at The Courtyard Theatre in Hereford before heading to The Swan Theatre in Worcester.
The story began in 2024, when a shorter version of A Roaring Boy was performed as part of He Said She Said They Said, a theatrical celebration of gender in Hereford. Following an enthusiastic audience response, Lost Cause has developed the piece into a full-length production for its autumn premiere.
Director Ant Stones says the play offers plenty for Shakespeare fans, while remaining accessible to anyone interested in a compelling human story. “Jack has written a truly wonderful script,” says Stones. “Fans of Shakespeare will love the world and the detail, but you don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy Robert’s story.”
At its heart, Stones believes, the play is about something much more universal.“His journey taps into so many themes that are still extremely relevant today. At its heart, this is a story about a young person finding themself and working out who they want to be. That’s a story we can all relate to.”
The production has been developed through consultation with Shakespearean experts alongside members of the local community, including members of the LGBTQ+ society, helping Lost Cause explore the connections between Shakespeare’s England and the questions surrounding identity in contemporary society.
For Stones, making those connections was vital. “It was absolutely essential that we spoke to members of our community to ensure Robert’s story is as true to today’s audience as it can be,” he explains.
The result promises to be a thought-provoking blend of historical theatre and contemporary questions, examining how far society has travelled when it comes to identity, expectation and the freedom to determine who we are.
A Roaring Boy is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Community Foundation.
Tickets are on sale now, with full details available from Advance tickets available now.