The Wife of Cyncoed (NHB Modern Plays)

By Matt Hartley

Jayne is newly retired and disappointed with her life. She's in danger of becoming her daughter's babysitting service, and is desperate to make a change. When she meets a handsome stranger in the park – and an opportunity to do something for herself arises – can Jayne allow herself a second chance at happiness?
Matt Hartley's play The Wife of Cyncoed is a charming and open-hearted play about self-discovery later in life. It premiered at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, in 2024, and provides gloriously entertaining opportunities for a mature solo performer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Mar 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781788507844

Matt Hartley

Matt Hartley grew up in the Peak District and studied drama at the University of Hull. His first play Sixty Five Miles won a Bruntwood Award in the inaugural Bruntwood Competition and was produced by Paines Plough/Hull Truck in 2012. Other work for theatre includes: The Wife of Cyncoed (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, 2024); Idyll (Pentabus Theatre tour, 2021); Eyam (Shakespeare's Globe, 2018); Here I Belong (Pentabus tour, 2016); Deposit (Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, 2015); Microcosm (Soho Theatre, 2014); Horizon (National Theatre Connections, 2014); The Bee (Edinburgh Festival, 2008); Punch (Hampstead/Heat and Light Company); and Epic, Trolls and Life for Beginners (all at Theatre503, London). He has written for TV's Hollyoaks and his radio plays include The Pursuit and Final Call.

Book preview

Matt Hartley

THE WIFE OF

CYNCOED

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Original Production Details

Acknowledgements

Characters

Notes on the Text

Notes on Location

The Wife of Cyncoed

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

The Wife of Cyncoed was first performed at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, on 7 March 2024. The cast was as follows:

Acknowledgements

Deep thanks to all those who have helped bring this to life. Rachel O’Riordan for getting the ball rolling. Giles Smart, David Mercatali, Branwen Davies, Caroline Berry, Julia Barry and the entire staff at the Sherman for all the work they have given to help shape and bring this show to life.

Davina Moss for diving into the guts and Joe Murphy for all his wit, wisdom and continual belief in the project. The fantastic creative team: Amy, Emily, Josh, April, Katy and Sam. Huge thanks to the wonderful Hannah Noone and Vivien Parry for being so bold, playful and reminding me why I started writing plays in the first place.

My daughter and all her grandparents for their inspiration (and free childcare).

And my wife who loves love.

M.H.

Character

JAYNE, sixty-six

Notes on the Text

A dash ( – ) at the end of a line indicates an interrupted thought or unfinished sentence.

An ellipsis (…) suggests a loaded or pregnant pause.

A dash ( – ) alone on a line indicates a new moment in time.

An ellipsis (…) alone on a line indicates a thought, silence or inarticulation.

Notes on Location

Cyncoed is an affluent suburb in Cardiff. It’s historically aspirational and where people with money in the city often live or want to live. Anyone from Cardiff would understand what that name represents. Any location change would need to reflect that. For example, if it was set in Sheffield it would be The Wife of Dore; in Bristol – The Wife of Clifton; Manchester – The Wife of Hale, etc.

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

Penny’s holding court.

She’s there, she is, swinging gently back, forth, in the egg chair I’s had my eye on all afternoon.

And I’m trying not to listen in, I’m just trying to enjoy my little glass of Prosecco but there is a lot of laughter coming from all those listening to her story.

Portugal – that is the word that I can’t help but focus on.

Penny’s saying about why they chose to get a villa there:

That it’s better than Spain, that you gets more for your money.

But mostly how it is for Malcolm, my ex, her husband, and his golfing.

‘Not that the courses are thanking us,’ Penny says, ‘every time he plays a round, he digs a new bunker.’

And Malcolm, do you know what