12 Mar 2025
St George's Hall
The Dreams I Had: Andrea Dunbar
Celebrating one of Bradford’s most distinctive voices.
Erica Whyman directed a one-night-only celebration of one of Bradford’s most distinctive voices.
Andrea Dunbar wrote vividly and brilliantly of the Bradford she knew. Born and raised in Buttershaw, she made her name as a teenager when The Arbor, her first play, premiered to huge acclaim at London’s Royal Court. She followed it with Rita, Sue and Bob Too and Shirley, two plays that combine domestic drama, social comment and wicked humour to powerful effect – and that remain just as relevant today.
We celebrated this extraordinary writer at St George’s Hall, marking 45 years since the premiere of The Arbor and 35 years since her tragically early death. Directed by Erica Whyman, the Yorkshire-born former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and developed with Bradford writer Kat Rose-Martin, The Dreams I Had presented staged readings of selections from Dunbar’s works – showcasing the explosive talent of this once-in-a-generation writer.
Director
Kat Rose-Martin
Dramaturg
Prema Mehta
Lighting Designer
Antony Lamble
Production and Costume Designer
Dyfan Jones
Sound Designer
Amy Ball
Casting Director
Produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Lead image: © Don McPhee
Cast
Roy and Landlord in Shirley/Bob and Sue’s Dad in Rita Sue and Bob Too
Billy in The Arbor/Eddie in Shirley
Policeman, Simon and Warrant Officer in Shirley
Karen in Shirley/Ann and Maureen in The Arbor/Rita and Michelle in Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Mrs Rennish in The Arbor/Audrey in Shirley/Mum in Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Yousaf in The Arbor/John in Shirley
Shirley in Shirley/Girl in The Arbor/Sue in Rita. Sue and Bob Too
Past event
Were you at this event?
Let us know what you thought on social media or find out what’s on soon!
See what's on
Related Events
Sat 3 Oct 2026
Conduit: Wharfespeed – Poetry and Reading
Anji Timlin, Rob Cowen and Amy-Jane Beer
Listen to local authors talk wildly about their love of the river Wharfe.
15 & 16 Oct 2026
How Soon is Now
Box of Tricks
An indie musical about mates, music and magic – set to a live soundtrack of 90s classics.
17 Oct 2026
JC Niala – The New Eden
Anthropologist, nature writer and historian JC Niala joins us for this talk, exploring how we can better celebrate nature in our cities.
Fri 23 Oct 2026
Loaded Laughs
BFD Comedy
Our ever-popular comedy night returns to Loading Bay
Thu 5 Nov 2026
