A warm and funny comedy drama written and performed by Ali Williams, adapting James Friel's novel about Mabel Daley Bancroft, the only British person tried for treason in the Second World War.
Ali Williams brings Careless Talk to the Alma Tavern Theatre on Wednesday 28 October, with a second performance on Thursday 29 October. It's a comedy drama written and performed by Williams, who's adapted James Friel's novel of the same name and drawn from a true story.
The story centres on Mabel Daley Bancroft, a seaside landlady who holds a singular place in British history: she was the only British person tried for treason during the Second World War. The show stages her story on Sandown Beach, and as it unfolds, it weaves in themes of the justice system—who it protects and why. It's described as both hilarious and moving, so it's a bit of a double-bill in one: the comedy of a seaside landlady and the weight of a treason trial.
Williams handles both the writing and the performing, so the whole thing comes from one voice. The source material is Friel's novel, Careless Talk, which takes that one historical figure and builds a story around her. If you're into historical footnotes that turn into something larger, this is exactly that kind of thing—a real person's life pulled from the archives and put on a stage.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Bristol and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
Both nights run at the Alma Tavern Theatre in Bristol (BS8 2HY), so you've got a choice of Wednesday 28 October or Thursday 29 October. It's a two-night run, so if you're around that week, you can pick whichever date fits best.
