Rural Arts Keepsake Commission ‘Pen Pals’

Pen Pals by Tom Wentworth 

Commissioned by Rural Arts as part of Keepsake, cultural experiences you can treasure

“We were better on paper…”

When Alison arrives at Irene’s cottage she doesn’t expect her friend’s daughter, Lucy, to be firmly in residence.

Lucy is suspicious – why did her mother never mention she had a pen pal for over forty years? Forced to share the house, both women discover they have very different memories of Irene. Did they really know her at all?

Pen Pals is a celebration of friendship and the art of letter writing across the generations.

Pen Pals is 30 minutes long and is streaming exclusively from Monday 17^th– Sunday 30^thMay 2021.

It can be listened to by calling local rate number 01845 980 360 or at https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/performances/pen-pals-a-keepsake-commission/

You can request a copy of the script by emailing megan@ruralarts.org

Quotes from Tom & Max

“At a time when we’ve been truly isolated as a society, I wanted to write about connection, friendship and it’s far-reaching power to heal” says writer Tom Wentworth “Pen Pals is a love letter to friendship.” Tom Wentworth is a writer for theatre and television, whose recent credits including BBC Four and BBC America, with upcoming projects with National Theatre Wales and BBC One.

“We’re so excited to share Tom’s work with audiences across North Yorkshire and beyond. He has a unique perspective, a beautiful style and knows how to punch you in the gut with story”, says Max May, Director and CEO of Rural Arts. “I hope listeners love the piece – and are perhaps inspired to write letters of their own. They’re an underrated way of sending something simple but special.”