The past is back. And it's got something to say.

A York Theatre Royal Production in association with Riding Lights Theatre Company

Written by Misha Duncan-Barry and Bridget Foreman
Directed by Juliet Forster and Paul Birch

It’s the 1890s, and business is booming at Rowntree’s Cocoa Works in York. A new factory and new products feeding a growing appetite for all things sugary. But in the backstreets and snickleways, life is far from sweet.

As Seebohm Rowntree uncovers and documents the rising tide of York’s poverty, he is pushed into the front line of the battle to provide fair wages, health and education for all, and pulled into a time and world he could never imagine. His vision sows the seeds of the welfare state, flourishing in York into pageants and plays, gymnastics and gardening: wealth and wellbeing for the entire community. Is this what the future looks like?

This summer, York’s residents take to the stage to share an unforgettable local story with national impact. With a large-scale cast and live choir, His Last Report plunges us into an astonishing past and bursts from its pages with searching questions for today.

His Last Report is the latest of York Theatre Royal’s celebrated community productions. Made in association with Riding Lights Theatre Company and with our partners Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Crombie Wilkinson.

Join us on Wed 23 Jul for Press Night Fizz. All audience members at this performance will be treated to a complimentary glass of bubbles after the show.

British Sign Language Interpreted Performance – Fri 25 Jul at 7:30pm
Captioned – Sat 02 Aug at 2pm
Audio Described – Sun 03 Aug at 2pm

Running time: TBC

Venue: Main House, York Theatre Royal

Price: From £15

Sat 19 Jun: 19:30

Tue 22 Jul: 19:30

Wed 23 Jul: 19:30

Thu 24 Jul: 19:30

Fri 25 Jul: 19:30 (British Sign Language Interpreted)

Sat 26 Jul: 14:00
Sat 26 Jul: 19:30

Tue 29 Jul: 19:30

Wed 30 Jul: 19:30

Thu 31 Jul: 19:30

Fri 01 Aug: 19:30

Sat 02 Aug: 14:30 (Captioned Performance)
Sat 02 Aug: 19:30

Sun 03 Aug: 14:00 (Audio Described Performance)