“I walked in and she’s sat in the coffin. In the middle of the living-room floor and she’s – she’s watching telly and laughing”

Nobody can ignore the fact that Myra is dying but in the meantime life goes on. There are boilers to be fixed, cats to be fed and the perfect funeral to be planned.

As a mother researches burial spots and bio-degradable coffins, her family are finally forced to communicate with her, and each other, as they face up to an unpredictable future. This delicately balanced drama reminds us that love and laughter can still be found in the most difficult times.

Laura Wade’s Colder Than Here was first performed at Soho Theatre, London on 3 February 2005.

Upper Hand Theatre Company is a brand new female-led theatre company providing opportunities for women and non-binary people in the arts. We’re aware of the lack of opportunities in this industry for these under-represented groups – it’s time to redress the balance. It’s also vital for us to work in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way, and we have chosen a play which highlights this theme for our inaugural production.

Post Show Q & A: Thursday 14th September
There will be a post-show Q & A with Compassionate Funerals and the creative team hosted by Upper Hand Theatre on Thursday 14th September.  This is free to all who have attended that evening’s performance.  

Text used with kind permission from © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Reviews for this production:

‘Laura Wade’s thought-provoking and funny play is a real treat… There are some wonderfully comic moments tackling Western society’s taboos around death… Classical music from their father’s collection adds a wonderful atmosphere and Matthew Karmios’s lighting evokes the changing seasons beautifully. Poignant, witty and wonderfully acted, Colder Than Here is well worth a look.’ Fairy Powered Productions

‘This is an unmissable chance to see Laura Wade’s play, Colder Than Here… It is about a dying woman arranging her own funeral. If that sounds grim, it really isn’t, it is life affirming and has many laugh-out-loud moments… Catch this family drama while you can, you might have to wait another 20 years before you get another chance.’ London Pub Theatres

‘What’s particularly striking – and refreshing – about the show is a lack of sentimentality… The small cast gels well together in an unusual but thoughtful piece of theatre.’ ★★★★ London Theatre 1