After writing a surprise bestseller, Katherine Sampson's second book is overdue. By two years. And she hasn't written a word.

Sent to the Caribbean by her agent with instructions not to return without a finished manuscript, Katherine struggles with the demons of alcohol and self-doubt.

Darkly funny, Katherine is the portrait of a woman trying to make sense of her past choices, loveless affairs and dead-end jobs. When Paul, an enigmatic American, offers her the opportunity of escape, she is faced with the most important decision of her life.

Written for Madeleine Howard, and developed with her and director Keith Washington, Katherine was commissioned by the Bay Festival in Antigua and premiered there in 2004. It was described by The Daily Observer as “staggeringly intimate and…wryly humorous.”

Tom Green’s previous plays include Virtual Reality for the National Youth Music Theatre, followed by Inspector Otto which won English National Opera’s ‘New Vision’s New Voices’ competition and was directed by David Poutney. His radio play, Talking On The Train won a Young Radio Playwright Award. His play Like A Roadmovie and I’m the Star was longlisted for the Soho Theatre’s prestigious Verity Bargate Award. Having been one of the first winners of the BBC Talent drama writer competition, Tom’s first TV commission came with Space, produced by Granada TV as part of their ‘Life in the City’ series. In 2003, his film Roadmovie was produced by Kenith Trodd and directed by Keith Washington for the TAPS writers festival.

Director Keith Washington’s extensive directing credits include the original production of Barrie Keeffe’s Gimme Shelter at the Soho Poly, transferring to the Royal Court. He has also directed at the Soho Poly, Royal Court, Nottingham Playhouse, Harrogate Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre and the Young Vic. He has directed over 200 television productions including Jonathan Creek ,The Bench, My Wonderful Life, London’s Burning, The Knock, Casualty, Brookside (one of the directors of the first episodes in 1982), The Collecters, Rockliffe’s Babies, Howards Way, Minder, Badger, Robin Hood, Palmer, Stay Lucky, The Bill, The Last Salute and Tracy Beaker. For 10 years, he has been associated with TAPS (Television Arts Performance Showcase) where he has been involved in developing the work of new writers.

Actor Madeleine Howard trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is probably best known in the UK for creating the role of Sarah Sugden in Yorkshire Television’s long-running series Emmerdale, a part she played for six years. She has worked extensively in the theatre in the UK, including seasons at Sheffield, Plymouth, Canterbury, Derby, the Kings Head, London and the Edinburgh Festival.

The Press on Katherine
“MADELEINE HOWARD…IS MAGNIFICENT” Paul Vale, The Stage

“AT TURNS ARROGANT AND VULNERABLE, HOWARD PLAYS KATHERINE WITH A CONSUMMATE SKILL” Paul Vale, The Stage

“GREEN’S TALE IS EXPERTLY TOLD” Paul Vale, The Stage

“KEITH WASHINGTON’S DIRECTION IS SUPERBLY UNDERSTATED, RELYING ON A FINE PERFORMER WHO INSTINCTIVELY KNOWS HOW TO LET A GOOD SCRIPT SPEAK FOR ITSELF.” Paul Vale, The Stage

“A LIGHT, WELL OBSERVED COMEDY ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WRITING”
Lucy Powell, Time Out

“TOM GREEN CREATES AN INTERESTING CHARACTER MATURE ENOUGH TO BRING A REFLECTIVE ANGLE TO HER PAST AND A SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE TO PRESENT EXPERIENCES.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate.com

“THE ELFISH MADELEINE HOWARD IS ADEPT AT DELIVERING HER WRY ONE-LINERS WITH A WINNING UNDERTOW OF SELF-MOCKERY” Lucy Powell, Time Out

“MOVINGLY PERFORMED BY MADELEINE HOWARD” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate.com

“DIRECTOR KEITH WASHINGTON KEEPS EACH OF THE THREE SCENES DISTINCT AND TIGHTLY PACED” Lucy Powell, Time Out

“IT’S INDIVIDUAL AND CONVINCING, WHILE HOWARD’S EXTENSIVE THEATRE EXPERIENCE IS EVIDENT IN HER VARIED, CONTROLLED PERFORMANCE.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate.com

"THE ISSUES THAT ARE THROWN UP, ABOUT WRITING FOR POSTERITY, FOR FAME OR NEITHER, ABOUT LISTENING WELL TO OTHER VOICES IN ORDER TO FIND YOUR OWN, ARE UNDERSTATED AND ENTHRALLING.” Lucy Powell, Time Out