Toby Parsons Productions, in association with Park Theatre, presents the premiere of (God Save My) Northern Soul, Natasha Cottriall’s dark comedy about love, loss and Northern soul music, at Park Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 September 2025.
19-year-old Nicole - a mixed-race only child from Wigan - has spent the last few years floating through college, postponed university and now works the 12 to 5 fitting room shift at River Island. Suddenly, she finds out she has inherited a house, a BMW and a sandwich shop. The story follows Nicole as she tries to come to terms with her new ‘adult’ life with the help of her strait-laced catholic Gran, chain smoking best mate Sally and flamboyant Father Smithe - all whilst clinging on to the end of her teenage years and desperately trying to lose her virginity! The play features an underscore of Northern Soul Music.
(God Save My) Northern Soul is written and performed by Natasha Cottriall and directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, with design by Alex Marker and sound design by Chris James.
What can you tell me about (God Save My) Northern Soul?
(God Save My) Northern Soul is a dark comedy about love, loss and Northern Soul music. It’s set in Wigan and follows the story of mixed race teenager Nicole as she reels from the suddening passing of her mum. As an only child of a single parent, after losing her mum she is left with a car, sandwich business and a house. We follow her as she is thrust into adulthood whilst still navigating the last of her teenage years.
I felt compelled to write about my experience at first perhaps as a way of processing my personal experience of the narrative. I felt like I didn't have the space or the know-how to talk about my grief at the time. It felt too big. And there was that sense of needing to be “getting on with things”. But then I started making notes about what was happening around me because even though it was obviously a tragic thing there were elements that were/are funny and I think the two often run hand in hand. When I started writing for myself, I never imagined that those notes would become a play that I would be bringing to an audience but I am thrilled that they did!
How have you approached developing the piece to what it is today?
When I realised that I had a show in my notes I structured it into an hour piece. And then there were many, many, many drafts! But at its core the story and themes have always been the same. It has just been shaped and crafted into the show it is today by working through the material. Along the way I did some early workshopping of the script through Chester Storyhouse. I then performed bits of the piece at a scratch night and did the full show as part of the Short Runs season at the Theatre 503 which helped me to see how audiences received it and what needed tightening and tweaking.
At one point I wondered whether it would have a bigger cast. (Bigger than just me) But the characters were so fully formed in my head it felt right when I tried them on. And practically we now have our amazing team to help bring the world of the play to life.
How much of your own lived experiences shaped the play?
It’s a semi auto biographical piece so a lot of what is in the show is from my real experience and a lot of the characters are based on real people or are an amalgamation of a few people. But of course this is drama! So some of the action is embellished to serve the story. Leading to your next question…..
What have been the most challenging aspects of developing the play?
Letting go of the original story, of the “but it happened like this”, was one of the hardest parts of developing this play. But the minute I was able to release myself from that and find freedom to create based on Nicole’s story rather than my own then the piece started to really take shape.
How does the musical soundscape help shape the piece?
Northern soul music is a huge part of not only my culture but also Wigan culture still to this day. I went to a Northern Soul event the other night in fact! In the play Nicole listens to records to stay connected with a huge part of her that has been lost through the passing of her mum. I’m sure we all have songs that remind us of certain people or of a time. Also it’s set in 2010 so there's a couple of other bangers in there that remind us what year we’re in!
How key has the relationship been with director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder for allowing the piece to grow?
Hannah is not only a brilliant director but also an incredible dramaturg. She has been there to help to shape every draft. You really need that outside eye when the story is so close to you. She creates a safe working space that feels collaborative which I'm so grateful for as otherwise it can feel a little lonely. Herself and her partner, Adam Quayle through their company Box of Tricks have both been consistently supportive of me as a writer since the beginning of my career. That kind of support is invaluable as an emerging writer.
How would you describe the style of the piece?
One woman comedy drama with great tunes and killer moves.
Can you tell me an interesting fact about the play?
The part about being sold a buy one get one half price grave is true... I really do have my own plot already.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
To be honest the first thing I remember watching is the local amateur panto, which I remember being wildly entertained by and would reenact it all when I got home, maybe adding in a few Victoria Wood impressions for good measure. I then went on to be in them! TV was maybe a bigger part of my cultural experience growing up - I would perform bits of adverts on request. I was a very performative child!
What gives you inspiration?
I’m interested in people. I listen to people all the time. On the train, in the cafe. My favorite place to listen to people at the moment is in the sauna at the gym. There could be a show in it… Also working with other actors. One of my favourite things is when I get asked to do a workshop for a new play because there is no pressure of the outcome. You've just got brilliant actors in a room allowed to play.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the play?
I find this a difficult question because primarily I hope that people enjoy it and like watching a story about someone’s journey. I didn’t set out to make people feel a certain way, it's pure storytelling and it’s from my lived experience. But I suppose I'd like to encourage a dialogue around death and grief because I felt at the time like I didn't have the tools to do that and in turn internalised my grief which then cost me loads in therapy! Perhaps through the play people will see a world they recognise because ultimately everyone will experience some sort of loss and it makes us feel off kilter and alone but theatre brings us together.
Where and when can audiences see (God Save My) Northern Soul?
It runs from the 9th to the 20th September at the Park Theatre (opposite Finsbury Park tube station). Times vary as are double billed with another brilliant show called ‘ Vermin’. Check the Park Theatre website or give them a call (full details below) and come and say hi !
The Park Theatre- 13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
020 7870 6876
parktheatre.co.uk
I find this a difficult question because primarily I hope that people enjoy it and like watching a story about someone’s journey. I didn’t set out to make people feel a certain way, it's pure storytelling and it’s from my lived experience. But I suppose I'd like to encourage a dialogue around death and grief because I felt at the time like I didn't have the tools to do that and in turn internalised my grief which then cost me loads in therapy! Perhaps through the play people will see a world they recognise because ultimately everyone will experience some sort of loss and it makes us feel off kilter and alone but theatre brings us together.
Where and when can audiences see (God Save My) Northern Soul?
It runs from the 9th to the 20th September at the Park Theatre (opposite Finsbury Park tube station). Times vary as are double billed with another brilliant show called ‘ Vermin’. Check the Park Theatre website or give them a call (full details below) and come and say hi !
The Park Theatre- 13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
020 7870 6876
parktheatre.co.uk
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