“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy …”

When Janey’s father died, she thought he had left her nothing but heartache and disappointments. Little did she realise. Paul and Shona may have an announcement, but they are about to be outshone as Janey reveals her bright and blinding secret.

First produced as part of ‘4Play’ by InterACT; Alnwick Playhouse, April 2009.

This was followed by a regional tour, venues including Northern Stage and Queens Hall.

The cast was as follows:

JANEY: Heather Broadley
PAUL: Richard Luke
SHONA: Rebecca Spears
BARMAID: Anna Bolton

Directed by Helen Ferguson

REVIEWS …

“An assured, pocket-sized family drama, it skilfully deals with big themes … a hard act for the three other offerings in the 4Play season to follow” (The Metro)

“all outstandingly written and fabulously performed” (Northumberland Gazette)

[A BIT] ABOUT …

“After working with 4 of the most promising new North East writers and undertaking a very busy and varied rehearsal period, we have produced a unique set of 4 performances, each to be valued individually and appreciated as a whole …” [- extract: Programme Notes by Helen Ferguson, Director]

“When Skies Are Grey was born from a news story about a Japanese woman found living in a small storage space of a man’s flat without him knowing. It wasn’t until he installed CCTV that he realised why food from his fridge was going missing, and I saw some of the footage of her appearing from this tiny space. While Skies doesn’t feature homeless women hiding in cupboards, it did lead me to the notion of something unlikely (and in the play’s case, huge and otherworldly) emerging from an equally unlikely place.” [- Alison]

The other plays in the ’4Play’ season were …

One Shot by Louise Taylor

Smoke & Mirrors by Rosalind Wyllie

The Tufty Club by Lee Mattinson

” … you’ll never know dear, how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away.”