David Sheinkopf

If I were an animal there would be legislation to protect my home, but because I’m just a bloody human they can do whatever the f**k they like.

Welcome to the village of Syresham; it’s not quite the Cotswolds. Townies have decided they want a lie in, so they’re building a new high-speed railway. Issue is, it’s going right through Barbara Honeybone’s house, and she ’ent having none of it. Barbara’s grandson Peter works for the townies and it’s his job to convince the village that having a two-tonne bullet hurtling through their cabbage patches will actually be for the best. Then there’s Harry, Barbara’s younger grandson, he ’ent that bothered about trains, he’s only got eyes for Debbie Mahoney. But the only thing Barbara hates more than townies is the Mahoneys.

Originally commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse, Village Idiotby Samson Hawkins is an audacious comedy, where family feuds kick off around a country fair that all you townies are invited to.

This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere of the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps On The Moon co-production in March 2023.

Samson Hawkins is a playwright and theatre practitioner originally from Northamptonshire. He is passionate about writing regional working-class comedies. Samson’s play Village Idiot, co-produced by Ramps on the Moon, opened in March 2023 before touring to the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and Stratford East in London. He is under commission to Royal & Derngate, and a Resident Artist at Leicester Curve. His audio play For F*ck’s Sake (I’m In Love With You) was commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse.