Overview

'Oh, and whatever you do. Do NOT let Celia add you to the WhatsApp group.' Three parties, one weekend: it's Party Season. Xander is back in town, and this weekend he's on parenting duty. The kids are in the ball pit; the entertainer is blowing bubbles; the adults gobble Perelló olives and pretend to like each other. As ancient grudges rear their heads, the tension rises like a helium balloon. Xander, caught between who he was and who he's supposed to be, must decide whether he's going to grow up or just pass the parcel. Party Season is a razor-sharp comedy about privilege, party rings and the pressures of being a parent. A co-production between The Wardrobe Ensemble, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and Lowry, it premiered on a UK tour in 2026. 'A relatable, silly and charming depiction of the chaos and pressures of parenthood... an absurdist comedy that confidently walks a line between joyous daftness and poignant meditation on parenthood... beautifully calibrated for maximum, heart-rending impact' — The Stage 'A broad comedy of manners about competitive parenting, in the territory of the sitcom Motherland... many sharply observed moments... admirable boldness of vision... it pumps up parental anxiety to bursting point' — Guardian 'Brings into sharp focus some of the often-hidden complexities of parenthood... a play full of unexpected depth, which still offers plenty of opportunities to chuckle' — WhatsOnStage 'Touching, humorous and highly relatable... a clever, well-observed piece with some incredible staging... magical... very funny... There's a lot to unpack with parenthood, but The Wardrobe Ensemble have handled it with understanding and respect... excellent writing... a thought-provoking show that deserves attention' — Theatre & Tonic 'Delivers sharp humour and real poignancy, capturing the chaos and tenderness of new parenthood... You'll be laughing one minute and welling up the next' — The Spy in the Stalls 'Fabulous... Go and see this show: you will laugh until you cry and then realise that this could be about you' — Fairy Powered Productions

Full Product Details

9781839045981

Table of Contents

Reviews

'A relatable, silly and charming depiction of the chaos and pressures of parenthood... an absurdist comedy that confidently walks a line between joyous daftness and poignant meditation on parenthood... beautifully calibrated for maximum, heart-rending impact' * The Stage * 'A broad comedy of manners about competitive parenting, in the territory of the sitcom Motherland... many sharply observed moments... admirable boldness of vision... it pumps up parental anxiety to bursting point' * Guardian * 'Brings into sharp focus some of the often-hidden complexities of parenthood... a play full of unexpected depth, which still offers plenty of opportunities to chuckle' * WhatsOnStage * 'Touching, humorous and highly relatable... a clever, well-observed piece with some incredible staging... magical... very funny... There's a lot to unpack with parenthood, but The Wardrobe Ensemble have handled it with understanding and respect... excellent writing... a thought-provoking show that deserves attention' * Theatre & Tonic * 'Delivers sharp humour and real poignancy, capturing the chaos and tenderness of new parenthood... You'll be laughing one minute and welling up the next' * The Spy in the Stalls * 'Fabulous... Go and see this show: you will laugh until you cry and then realise that this could be about you' * Fairy Powered Productions *

Author Information

The Wardrobe Ensemble is a Bristol-based group of theatre artists. Their work includes: The Last of the Pelican Daughters (Edinburgh Fringe, 2019); Education, Education, Education (Edinburgh Festival Fringe & UK tour, 2017; Trafalgar Studios, 2019); 1972: The Future of Sex (Shoreditch Town Hall, 2014; UK tour, 2015; Bristol Old Vic, 2019); 33 (Bristol Old Vic & Edinburgh Fringe, 2013; UK tour 2014); and RIOT (Bristol Old Vic, 2011; UK tour 2012; National Theatre, 2013). The company has made numerous shows for families and early years, including Eliza and the Wild Swans, Edgar and the Land of Lost, Eloise and the Curse of the Golden Whisk and The Forever Machine (all co-productions with the Bike Shed Theatre); Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (a co-production with Bristol Old Vic); and The Star Seekers (a co-production with The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol).

Tab Content 6

Countries Available