Emmerson and Ward present
RUM
- By Joe Mallalieu
- Directed by Tess Seddon
“This plaster will outlive me. I shape these rooms but in turn they have moulded me. Hiding secrets. Weak spots made to look strong.”
Meet Danny, plastering since he was a kid, he’s not scared of anything, he's RUM. Danny’s been up all night and now he’s rushing to finish a job before he has to give the speech of his life. RUM is a darkly humorous and powerful new play that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction in the trade.
Written and performed by Joe Mallalieu and directed by Tess Seddon, this powerful play is returning to tour the UK in 2026 following successes at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024 (winner of Broadway Baby’s Bobby Award) and a UK Tour in 2025.
We are proudly partnered with ANDYSMANCLUB, a men’s suicide prevention charity who offer free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18 across the UK and online.
“This plaster will outlive me. I shape these rooms but in turn they have moulded me. Hiding secrets. Weak spots made to look strong.”
Meet Danny, plastering since he was a kid, he’s not scared of anything, he's RUM. Danny’s been up all night and now he’s rushing to finish a job before he has to give the speech of his life. RUM is a darkly humorous and powerful new play that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction in the trade.
Written and performed by Joe Mallalieu and directed by Tess Seddon, this powerful play is returning to tour the UK in 2026 following successes at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024 (winner of Broadway Baby’s Bobby Award) and a UK Tour in 2025.
We are proudly partnered with ANDYSMANCLUB, a men’s suicide prevention charity who offer free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18 across the UK and online.
Running Time: 65 mins (no break)
Recommended Age: 16+
Content Guidance: Simulated drug use, drug and suicide references. References to violence and sexual content not seen on stage.
“Captivating” ***** Broadway Baby
“A powerful, intimate play” ***** Reviews Hub
“Dazzlingly Authentic” **** The Scotsman