Andy Munns
Salisbury Radio sat down with some of the cast members of the latest production at Salisbury Playhouse, One Last Push.
The new play from Chris Chibnall, the man behind Broadchurch and a writer on Doctor Who for four years, opens on the 15th of February for a three-week run and promises to have theatre-goers in stitches.
Laura Main plays Jen, the expectant mother. She’s well known to TV audiences, having appeared in 13 series of Call the Midwife as both Sister Bernadette and, more recently, Shelagh Turner.
She’s very much enjoying being involved in the production, having visited as a member of the audience before. She told Salisbury Radio, “Jen is heavily pregnant, she’s past her due date. She’s ready to drop. She wants a home birth, so the play is set in her home. That drives everything for her.
I am absolutely loving being at Salisbury Playhouse. I have always enjoyed coming as an audience member. It was appealing for two reasons. I have heard great things about Gareth (Machin) and Chris Chibnall of Doctor Who and Broadchurch fame. It’s his new play so that really is exciting.”
Sam Alexander returns to Salisbury Playhouse, having appeared previously in ‘How the Other Half Loves’. He plays Jen’s partner, Mark; he said that maybe the two characters don’t necessarily see eye to eye on the plan for a home birth. “He’s a dad-to-be, and let’s say he’s not necessarily responding to the stress of the situation as one might home. He is trying desperately to trying to control the things he can, but the baby is coming.
“He has a complete obsession with the small stuff. For example parking arrangements at the hospital. It’s all masking the fact he is terrified.”
The two main characters are pulled in different directions by their priorities, and they are also joined by unexpected guests.
Paul, who lives upstairs, is played by David Partridge. David is well known to Salisbury audiences (The Tempest, The Recruiting Officer, Bedroom Farce) and was born in the city before moving up the A30 to Shaftesbury. He describes his character as being awkward and following his own path.
James Gaddas (Coronation Street, Bad Girls) plays David, Valarie Antwi plays Alize, and the cast is completed by another Playhouse returnee in Sherry Baines, who plays Eileen, Jen’s mum.
You can hear from cast members with Andy Munns in the afternoon on Salisbury Radio over the next few days at around 3:20.
What to expect!
Jen and Mark have  done the NCT classes. 
They’ve written the birth plan, in precise detail. 
They’ve even got the birth pool ready in the living room of their new flat. Almost.
Everything is set for the perfect, calm, idyllic home birth. 
Except they’ve reckoned without intrusive family, nosy neighbours, uninvited guests and a new flat full of unwelcome surprises.
Chris Chibnall’s new play hilariously depicts what happens when one of life’s most magical events gets hijacked… by life itself.
Tickets are available on the Wiltshire Creative Website – https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/one-last-push
Feature Image: Ash Mills
