BIG BIG SKY: A CLOSER LOOK

17th July 2025

This July, the New Vic Theatre present the heartfelt comedy Big Big Sky by award-winning playwright Tom Wells.  

Set in a local café in Kilnsea, East Yorkshire, this play gives us a peek into the lives of a close community of characters as they navigate themes of love and loss, friendship and motherhood, nested on the New Vic stage.

Directed by former New Vic Resident Assistant Director Bryn Holding, the cast of this heartfelt production includes returning talents Tanya-Loretta Dee as Angie, Simeon Truby as Dennis alongside New Vic newcomer Roxanne Morgan as Lauren and Sam Baker-Jones as Ed.

We sat down with the cast and director to speak about all things Big Big Sky, their journeys and acting, and this is what they had to say…

 ‘How has your return to the New Vic Theatre been after?‘

Bryn: Returning feels hugely special for me; I grew up not too far away in North Shropshire and the New Vic has been ever present in my career. I was here as an actor in 2012 then 2015. I then became Resident Assistant Director for a year and now it’s a joy to be back directing Tom Wells’ beautifully crafted play Big Big Sky.

‘How has it felt performing in-the-round and has it been a challenge for you?’

Tanya: I love performing in-the-round – I would say it’s my favourite! You can’t hide in that space because of its open design, which allows you to see every detail. And with this play especially, the intimacy, the relationships within the play, and the warmth inevitably radiate like a globe through the theatre. I’m excited to bring to life a play that is really real, gritty and earthy. And I think it’s fitting for it to come into a space where audiences will really feel the journey of the characters.

‘Sam, you have done a lot of theatre and TV work – which do you prefer the most?’

Sam: I think all parts have their own merit, and the more you do, the more you realise there is different value in every experience and part. But for Big Big Sky I would say exploring the character Ed on stage has been great. But having a bit of both works well.

‘Roxanne, is this your first time playing in-the-round?’

Roxanne: Yes, it is. At first it felt a bit daunting because I’m used to performing on an end-on stage or with this fourth wall but at the New Vic there’s this exciting feeling that performing in-the-round gives when it comes to experiencing the feeling of sharing with audiences.

‘Simeon, how much of yourself have you brought to the character Of Dennis?’

Simeon: In the play we see Dennis as not only Lauren’s father but a character that is living with grief, and a lot of the play is about how these characters deal with that in different ways – how they get through that and get over it and how it affects relationships. And although it’s something I haven’t dealt with in such a massive way, as an actor I’m finding different experiences and perspectives to bring towards Dennis as a way to understand and bring him to stage.

‘And what do you think the audience will take from this play? Whether it’s a feeling or something that surprised you about the play’

Roxanne: How I was explaining it to my family was that it’s kind of about grief, kind of about bird watching and kind of about family and kind of about line dancing. You get the heart and the warmth and there are a couple of interesting elements added.

You can really feel the strong connections between the characters. I think working as a cast of four has helped us develop those relationships and we hope that will be communicated to the audience.

Sam: And… there’s a hell of a dance number in there!

Tanya: I haven’t done any line dancing before, but it’s been so much fun! Learning it was difficult at first, but I think I’ve got the hang of it now. It’s a great addition to the play because everything and everyone can feel quite separate at times, so coming together to do line dancing allows us to work together, and accompanied by some music, makes it joyful and I hope the audience can really feel that and enjoy it along with us.

Simeon: I think it’s a play that anybody can appreciate. It does deal with some harder subjects, but they’re presented and communicated in such a tender way which is an ode to how accessible Tom Wells writing really is, that it comes alive and rolls off the tongue so beautifully. Anyone would enjoy it.

Big Big Sky is on stage at the New Vic until Thursday 24 July 2025.For more information visit newvictheatre.org.uk.

Photo Gallery

The Company of Big Big Sky at New Vic Photo by Andrew Billington

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