The Lady in the Van

The play tells the true story of the eccentric Miss Mary Shepherd, an older woman, stubborn, unpredictable, and often grumpy, but at the same time vulnerable and dependent. She ends up with her old van in the driveway of Alan Bennett, the author of this play. Out of pity, he lets her park for a while, but the “temporary” stay gets completely out of hand: Miss Shepherd eventually ends up living in her van in Bennett’s driveway for fifteen years. Bennett observes her with irony and empathy, while meanwhile also reflecting on his own life and his relationship with others. The presence of Miss Shepherd becomes a mirror for his conscience, his loneliness, and his sense of responsibility. Gradually, the woman’s painful background comes to light: she had a promising life as a pianist, but ended up completely on the fringes of society due to personal dramas and mental problems. The power of the play lies in the humor. In sharp but warm dialogues, the play shows the clash between hospitality and annoyance, pity and discomfort. AUTHOR Alan Bennett DIRECTION Jo Matthijs CAST Roos Wuyckens, Frank De Beule, David Willems, Catherine Van Dessel, Frans Pierson, Katrien Baes, Bonny Humblet, Bram Verlinden, Jasper Driesmans, Geert Dooms PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Yannick Matthys STAGE DIRECTION Elisabeth Oyen, Luna Vleminckx PROMPTER Chantal Leblanc LIGHTING Paul Bielen SOUND Bertram D'Hooge DECOR Tom Vandeweyer, Philippe Mommens, Stany Quintens, Femke Wilberts, Jeannine Vroonen, Robin Vancuyck