Possum Trot - Kathy Rucker Interview

Award-winning American playwright Kathy Rucker (Crystal Springs; Park Theatre, Eureka Theatre; Sultan’s Battery, Whitmore-Lindley Theatre; Darling; Hope Theatre) brings small town Nebraska to London this November with the world premiere of Possum Trot. Acclaimed for captivating audiences with her timely explorations of contemporary issues, Rucker’s latest production draws inspiration from the ongoing battles faced by family farms across America’s heartland.

Set in Possum Trot, Nebraska, the play follows Maxine—the sharp-witted, big-hearted owner of the town’s only diner—on a harrowing yet often hilarious mission to keep her beloved town on the map. Maxine, played by Sarah Berger (An Inspector Calls; Doctor Who) faces crises after crises threatening the town’s survival. From agricultural giants swallowing up family farms, to climate disasters and an exodus of young people fleeing for the city, she fights tooth and nail to preserve the spirit of her small town—all while juggling the equally comic and chaotic dramas of her own family. The play also proudly features Todd Boyce (Coronation Street, ITV),Nikolas Salmon(The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Lionsgate Films; EastEnders, BBC), Dani Arlington(Prima Facie, West End & Broadway),and Neve Francis(Engine Room New Work, Omnibus Theatre).

Rucker’s script balances poignancy with laughter, illuminating the hard truths of rural America while celebrating the resilience, quirks, and humanity of the people who live there. Funny, tender, and deeply moving, Possum Trot reveals that even in the toughest circumstances, humour and community are the glue that hold people together.

We sat down with Kathy Rucker to learn more about the play.

What can you tell me about Possum Trot? 
The play is set in a small Nebraska town and follows a family farm fighting to survive. On the surface it’s about the challenges of rural life, but really it’s about family—how people love, clash, and keep moving forward even when the odds are stacked against them. There’s plenty of humor, because small-town life is quirky and funny, but it’s also deeply human. I wanted to capture the resilience of people who are often overlooked, and show the mix of laughter and struggle that shapes their days.

What inspired you to write this piece? 
I kept seeing news stories about farmers facing rising costs, shrinking markets, climate change, and a dwindling workforce. Once-vibrant farming communities were fading away. I began to imagine what it would feel like to watch the town you grew up in slowly disappear.

Having grown up in California, how did that shape what you wanted the play to be? 

I grew up in California’s Central Valley and remember the hop fields, apple orchards, corn crops, and dairy farms. Over time, those small farms disappeared. I wanted the play to capture that sense of transition and the impact it has on the people who live through it.

You cite Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan as influences—how did their music help shape the play? 

My background is in film production, so I almost always write with a soundtrack. Music helps me find the mood of the piece and understand my characters more deeply. Springsteen’s Nebraska and Dylan’s Shelter from the Storm were emotional bookends for me. That haunting harmonica and Dylan’s rusty voice just sound like the Midwest.

Your grandmother Alice inspired the character of Maxine. What can you tell me about her? 

Like Maxine, my grandmother was strong, funny, and determined. Widowed at 30, she raised two children, worked full-time, and built a lively home for family and friends. She even delayed remarrying until her children were grown. Both Alice and Maxine knew hardship, but they never turned away from joy.

How do you approach balancing themes within the text? 

I don’t usually think in terms of themes while I’m writing—I just tell the story. The themes reveal themselves afterward.

What is it like to see your script come to life on stage? 

It’s humbling, exhilarating, and a little terrifying. But it makes all those hours alone at the desk feel worthwhile.

Kathy Rucker

What was the first play you saw that had a big impact on you? 

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the Geary Theatre in San Francisco. I was dazzled by the costumes, the wit, the language, and the story. It remains one of my favorite plays, and it was the beginning of my life as an Anglophile.

What keeps you inspired? 

The possibility of working again with an extraordinary group of artists.
What do you hope audiences take away from Possum Trot? Even though it’s set in Nebraska, the themes are universal. Farming communities everywhere—even in the UK—face the challenge of young people moving to cities and families struggling to hold on. At its heart, the play is about resilience, humor, and love.

Where and when can audiences see the show? 

Possum Trot runs November 12–29 at the Theatre at the Tabard, 2 Bath Road, Chiswick, London W4 1LW. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday, with two shows on Saturday. Tickets are available at Tabard.org.uk.