A gripping play about a woman trying to survive in a punishing and dysfunctional penal system that has separated her from her daughter. Premiered at the Arcola Theatre, London, in 2024.
Mother is in prison. Daughter has come to visit. Closely watched by security, they have one hour to undo the damage of eleven years of separation.
Surrender explores what it takes to survive in a punishing and dysfunctional penal system when your child is on the outside.
A collaboration between writer Sophie Swithinbank and director/performer Phoebe Ladenburg, the play opened at the Arcola Theatre, London, in 2024, before playing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
'A powerful drama exploring the demonisation of single mothers... probing, exposing and frightening... as enraging as it is engrossing... astute writing... a warning cry'
* The Stage *'Subtle and compassionate'
* LondonTheatre1 *'Intriguing and engaging... a carefully crafted and moving story'
* Reviews Hub *'A thought-provoking piece of theatre'
* Broadway World *'Powerful... casts a stark light on the often-overlooked vulnerability of new mothers in crisis'
* Everything Theatre *Sophie Swithinbanks other plays include Even in Arcadia (longlisted for the Verity Bargate Award) and Bacon (Finborough Theatre, London, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Bristol Old Vic and SoHo Playhouse, New York). It won the Tony Craze Award, four Off West End Awards and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation/ Film4 Award, and received universal critical acclaim.