John Godber's This Is The Life

John Godber brings his new comedy, This Is The Life, to The Round at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 17 to 20 February 2027. It's produced by The John Godber Company in association with York Theatre Royal, and it's a bit of a departure from the usual. The story centres on Dave and Sapphire, a cynical backstage duo who've spent years working behind the scenes at the Old Forge. When they find out the venue is closing, they decide to stage their own dramatic adventure, built from the characters they've met and the scenes they've witnessed, in the hope of bringing the punters back.

Godber describes it as a comedy that interrogates hope, ghosts and the power of performance. The whole thing is seen through Dave and Sapphire's eyes, and that's where the real hook is: they've always been the ones working in the wings, but now they've chosen to stand centre stage. By the end, they're starting to think, maybe, this is the life.

It's a substantial evening, running two hours and 35 minutes including the interval, so you'll want to clear your schedule. There's also age guidance of 14+ to keep in mind if you're bringing a younger crowd along. Tickets start from £20, and the run is short — just four days from 17 to 20 February — so if you're planning to go, it's worth picking your night early.