Marcella’s Minute to Midnight

A loft clear-out triggers a chance for Marcella to unbox her past, and her future, in a new play heading to Sheringham in September.

Marcella’s Minute to Midnight sees a woman in mid 60s tackling the declutter of a lifetime following a botched eBay order which requires more loft space for storage.

It means sifting through objects that spark vivid memories and facing painful decisions on what to keep or throw away.

The emotional roof space journey, laced with humour and reflection, has been penned by actor and writer Mary Lincoln – who will perform the one-woman show at Sheringham Little Theatre, where she has appeared in several summer season dramas.

“I’m hoping that people will relate to the feeling of trying to avoid the big clear out for fear of what they might find in the process.” she explained.

The objects she unearths combine happy nostalgia and family moments with self-searching and facing the prospect of a life “running out of time” – hence the “minute to midnight” title and decisions about what to do with what life is left.   

Marcella came about through Covid during a socially-distanced walk with her son when he persuaded her to drop an unfinished 10-year-project writing a play about a historical figure which was bogged down in the research stage – and refocus on herself.

“My son Sam suggested I park someone else’s history in favour of my own,” explained Mary who lives in North Norfolk.

She decided to channel a little of her own experience to create a character expressing “the tensions that arise between an everyday life as a wife and mother and the demands of an acting career.”

“Lockdown was both a tragic and a creative time for many; a time when we were all reminded of our own mortality, and for me a time of realisation that if I had something else to say creatively, I’d better get off my backside and do something about it!”

Mary Lincoln’s career as a performer has spanned theatre, music theatre, television drama, improvisation and film. Her Little Theatre appearances include Funny About Love, Caught in The Net, Perfect Wedding and Bedroom Farce.

She developed a particular affection for the venue – and since moving to Thornage with music director and composer husband Tony Britten finds any excuse to visit.

Marcella’s Minute to Midnight is on Saturday September 14 at 7.30pm. Tickets £16 at www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com or call the box office on 01263 822347.