BE My Baby, Amanda Whittington’s first play, was performed at Salisbury Playhouse’s Salberg Studio in 2024, and now it comes back to the city for a production by Studio Theatre at their Ashley Road home.

Set in 1964, it centres around Mary, a pregnant 19-year-old who is sent by her mother to a mother and baby home run by the church. There she meets Queenie, a street-smart girl with a past who dreams of being a singer, Dolores and Norma, who is not very bright. As they gradually come to terms with their situation, they bond over pop songs and become great friends.

The fragile Norma’s baby is taken away to be adopted, adding to her stress. Mary gives birth to Lucy, helped by Queenie, who has already had a baby before. Lucy is taken away and is given to an adoptive family. The only thing she will take to remember her birth mother is a teddy bear.

The play is not only poignant and thought-provoking, but funny and filled with the joy of friendships.

The Studio Theatre production, directed by Sophie Townsend, runs from 31st March to 5th April, nightly at 7.30. The cast is Lynette Barnes, George Cotterill, Sarah Derry, Clare Green, Claire Martin and Nikki Shepherd.