Bishop’s Stortford writer Alan Hall and Sawbridgeworth director Mark Edwards bring new play Humanity – Love and Sex to London stage

Bishop’s Stortford playwright Alan Hall’s latest creation debuts in London on Monday (November 18).

Humanity – Love and Sex is a collaboration with brother-in-law Peter Redding, crafting his first script, directed by Sawbridgeworth resident Mark Edwards.

The comedy will be performed at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone as part of an evening of short plays.

The premise is that The Bods – five human body parts – are working on a prototype of the first human.

At their weekly project meetings, despite their management approach, it becomes clear they are ill equipped to meet their objective.

The Brain, the chair of the project group, is played by Much Hadham resident and retired solicitor Ralph Camp. Sawbridgeworth’s Linda Helm-Manley plays The Hand and fellow town resident Alison Falconer is The Heart.

For the workstream on sex and love, two specialists have been enlisted for their expert knowledge – The Penis and The Vagina – played by Harlow residents Jessica Keilty and stand-up comic Alfi Howard.

Alan said: “This is quite a departure from the plays I’ve written in the past, which have been more serious about social issues such as homelessness. This one is completely bonkers!”

He has known Peter Redding for over 50 years, but this is the first time they have properly written together.

“Although when I was about 13, we would get together after tea on Sundays at my mum and dad’s house to write comedy plays for the family to perform at Christmas,” said Alan, who is now working on a musical.

“One play was a new take on Upstairs Downstairs and another, Blunderbirds, was about the famous Tracey family,” said Alan.

“For Humanity though, we’re really blessed to have such a talented cast and director.”

Mark has been involved in amateur dramatics for the past six years, predominantly with Much Hadham Drama Group (MHDG).

Last year he ventured into writing. He completed his first play, a three-act mystery whodunnit titled Council of Secrets, during an intense 11-hour writing session. It was later performed by MHDG. Humanity – Love and Sex is the fourth play he has directed.