This September, the Sheringham Little Theatre will host a unique theatrical experience as Mary Lincoln takes the stage with her new one-woman play, Marcella’s Minute to Midnight. A blend of humor, nostalgia, and self-reflection, this intimate performance delves into the life of a woman in her mid-sixties who finds herself navigating the emotional terrain of a long-overdue loft clear-out.
The play, set in the intimate confines of a dusty attic, begins with Marcella, who, after a botched eBay order, must make space for storage by decluttering a lifetime’s worth of memories. As she unboxes forgotten objects, each item stirs up vivid memories and forces her to confront the difficult choices of what to keep and what to discard.
“I’m hoping that people will relate to the feeling of trying to avoid the big clear out for fear of what they might find in the process,” says Mary Lincoln, reflecting on the play’s central theme. Marcella’s journey, while deeply personal, resonates universally as it tackles the passage of time and the inevitable moment when life feels like it’s approaching the “minute to midnight.”
The play’s origin is as compelling as its narrative. Mary began writing Marcella’s Minute to Midnight during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time of both tragedy and creativity. A socially-distanced walk with her son, Sam, led to a crucial decision—abandon a long-gestating project about a historical figure and instead, turn her focus inward. “My son suggested I park someone else’s history in favor of my own,” Mary explains.
This shift in perspective allowed her to channel her personal experiences into the play, particularly the tension between everyday life and the demands of an acting career.
While the character of Marcella draws from Mary’s life, the evolution of the play involved a significant transformation. “The first version of the play was very polite,” Mary notes. Originally, the character’s name was Mary, but it was the change to Marcella that truly allowed the narrative to flourish.
Mary Lincoln is no stranger to the stage or screen, with a career spanning theatre, television, and film. At the Sheringham Little Theatre, she has left her mark with memorable performances in productions like Funny About Love, Caught in The Net, Perfect Wedding, and Bedroom Farce. Her recent role as Alice in the film In from the Side, currently streaming on Netflix, adds another impressive credit to her repertoire.
Returning to Sheringham Little Theatre holds special significance for Mary, who has developed a deep affection for the venue over the years. Now residing in Thornage with her husband, music director, and composer Tony Britten, she finds any excuse to visit this charming theatre by the sea.
Directed by her son, who also works for the BBC, Marcella’s Minute to Midnight is a testament to Mary’s enduring passion for storytelling. “Even the darker side of life has an element of humor,” she says, offering a glimpse into the play’s tone. And though performing solo on stage can be daunting, it’s clear that Mary’s love for the craft shines through in every moment.
Sheringham Little Theatre’s audiences are in for a treat this September as Mary Lincoln unpacks Marcella’s life—one box at a time.
Saturday 14 September at 7.30pm, Sheringham Little Theatre
For more information and to book tickets, visit:
www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com