The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse

'And what happens when the pendulum swings too far? We push back.'

A wickedly funny new play that explores the enigma of Mary Whitehouse: pearl-clutching prude or 'the most dangerous woman in Britain'?

In the 1970s, one twinkly old lady wielded extraordinary influence, fighting against what she believed was the UK's moral decline. Armed with only a typewriter in her garden, this seemingly harmless grandmother took on the BBC and the 'godless media' in a culture war that divided the nation.

Caroline Bird's play delves into Whitehouse's most explosive battle—her infamous blasphemy trial against Gay News, which revealed the shocking power behind her sweet smile. It will challenge your beliefs about freedom, censorship, and explore one woman’s formidable resolve to push back the tide.

The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse is premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2025, starring Maxine Peake.