Preview: Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg at Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington

Pants and Popularity: Kitty and Peg give Jane Austen a run for her money

The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg

Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington

Saturday 29th March 2025

In this 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen, check out her riotous real-life predecessors Kitty Clive and Peg Woffington, in a hilarious brand new play.

While Austen was a woman of letters, Kitty and Peg were women of action! This fast-paced comedy is for everyone who enjoys a fun night out, and laugh-out-loud historical comedies like Upstart Crow, Austentatious, or Blackadder. Written and performed by dynamic double act Trott and Jennings - packed with witty dialogue, as well as fights, tights, and workers rights, this play celebrates two bona fide Gorgeous Georgian ladies behave badly.

Off the back of a sell-out London run, The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg tours this spring at each venue for one night only - appearing at Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington booking link

What is it?

Green room queens, Kitty and Peg, were self made women, who made their own money - unlike the Elizabeth Bennet’s of this world. Imagine Bridgerton with less romance, more finance, and more experienced cleavage

This is a cock and bull story of beloved stars, Kitty (England’s favourite singer) and Peg (Ireland’s favourite legs), battling to stay relevant in the cutthroat Drury Lane Theatre - Covent Garden in 1745, with the help of Charlotte ‘Mr Brown’ Charke, the actor-turned-butcher.

Like washed up sailors clinging to the wreck of their celebrity, watch the lengths these two go to, to hang onto fame and fortune. Media manipulation, brawls, poisoning, and wrestling - they risk deportation and death in their quest for infamy. Think Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, or Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy but with corsets.

No country for old women

How did it come about?

Writer performer team Trott and Jennings, discovered Kitty Clive (the Adele of her age) during research for their show Hendrix and Handel for Sky Arts, in which Kitty was a supporting character. They knew this resourceful woman had a bigger story. This show was made with support as resident artists at Morley College. The tour is made possible with support from Proteus Theatre, with whom they are associate artists for 2025.

Who are Trott and Jennings?

Trott and Jennings are Cara Jennings and Sophie Trott. They are writers and performers. Together they’ve written TV, theatre, and audio. They’ve written for Sky Arts, BBC, and LSE among many others. Their web series The Littlest Boho was selected for National and international film festivals, and was a Raindance Discovery Award recipient.

Cara’s written and produced radio plays for BBC Radio 4: How To Burn a Million Quid, Ready, Player Marx and The Poor Olympics and The Flying Housewife. Her Edinburgh Millie and Tillie shows were Funny Women Award Winners. She worked on the production team for Horrible Histories, and appeared in various sketches as wives, girlfriends and aviators. Her play Stray was shortlisted for the Papatango prize.

Sophie’s work as an actor includes shows at Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Theatre, and Northern Stage. Her TV and film appearances include various corsetted women: a writer, Charlotte Bronte (BBC), a princess in Victor and Abdul (Working Title), and a muse, in Raphael, A Mortal God (BBC).

Together, their work has been shortlisted by Comedy 50:50, UKTV script callout, The Female Pilot Club, and the Alpine Theatre Award. They’ve performed their shows on the London fringe, as well as at Proteus Theatre, Shunt Vaults, and Exeter’s Phoenix Theatre.

Photos of The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg, Hen and Chickens Production 2024 by David Langan featuring Kitty Clive (Cara Jennings) and Peg Woffington (Sophie Trott).

On the web: 

https://trottandjennings.com

https://www.instagram.com/trottandjennings/

Tickets:

https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/The-Astonishing-Adventures-of-Kitty-and-Peg