Mother Clap's Molly House
by Mark Ravenhill, music by Matthew Scott (2001)
World première of a new play with songs
It's London, 1726, and Mrs Tull's got problems. The whores are giving her a hard time, a man in a dress is looking for a job, her husband has a roving eye, and the apprentice boy keeps disappearing on midnight walks.
Meanwhile in 2001, a group of wealthy gay men are preparing for a raunchy party.
Mother Clap's Molly House, a black comedy with songs, is a celebration of the diversity of human sexuality, an exploration of our need to form families, and a fascinating insight into a hidden chapter in London's history. Please note This play contains language and scenes which some people may find offensiveMark Ravenhill's previous work includes Shopping and F***ing and Some Explicit Polaroids. Both of which are published in Mark Ravenhill: Plays 1 which is available to order online from our Bookshop.
Nicholas Hytner's other work at the National includes The Winter's Tale, The Madness of George III (and the film), Carousel and The Cripple of Inishmaan.
Inside the Molly House, a complete behind-the-scenes account of this production is available from our BookshopThe text for this play is available from the National's Bookshop.
Final performance is on 24 November 2001
Photo of Deborah Findlay by Mike SmallcombeMother Clap's Molly House finished on: 24 November 2001
