Isobel McArthur

2025 Finalist

The Fair Maid of the West

Synopsis: This free adaptation of Thomas Heywood’s Elizabethan romp is a music-filled, ensemble pub-based comedy about the life-saving powers of community, compromise and compassion. It follows the fortunes of heroic young landlady Liz Bridges on the adventure of a lifetime. 

Cast Breakdown:
For a cast of ten. 

ACTOR 1 (Male, 50+)
ACTOR 2 (Any, any)
ACTOR 3 (Any, any)
ACTOR 4 (Any, any)
ACTOR 5 (Any, any)
ACTOR 6 (Female, 20+)
ACTOR 7 (Any, any)
ACTOR 8 (Any, any)
ACTOR 9 (Male, 20+)
ACTOR 10 (Any, any) 

This play is designed for at least some company members to be actor-musicians. Most or all should be able to sing. 

For certain lines of parts a facility with Spanish language is important. A native Spanish speaker is preferable for ‘Actor 7’. 

Set/Costume Requirements:
Costume changes of some kind are required because of complex multi-rolling for the ensemble parts. 

The play requires something to represent a bar and a street. This is best done with units which can be moved to then represent a boat, and reformed to build a tapas bar or any scene change desired. 

Agent: (Literary) Mel Kenyon, Casarotto Ramsay; (Acting) Susie Dumbreck, Infinity Artist Management 

Bio: Isobel McArthur is an Olivier award winning actor, director and playwright. Her 5-star sensation Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) played to acclaim in London’s West End and is currently touring the UK and playing internationally in many languages.  

As an actor and musician Isobel has performed in most of the UK’s major theatres, playing leads in Scottish premieres of works by Ella Hickson, Mike Bartlett and Anthony Neilson, as well as in her own plays How to Sing it, Daphne Oram’s Wonderful World of Sound and the lauded Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of). 

As playwright-director, other recent productions include her touring adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped (National Theatre of Scotland), her original Fringe First Winner The Grand Old Opera House Hotel (Traverse Theatre) as well as her nominated piece for the prize, an adaptation of Thomas Heywood’s The Fair Maid of the West (Royal Shakespeare Company). 

In addition to the Oliver Award for Best Comedy Play, Isobel has also won the Evening Standard Award for Best Emerging Talent, The Scotsman’s Fringe First Award, The List ‘Hot 100’ Award, The Saltire Society’s 40 Under 40 alongside nominations for The Stage’s ‘Best West End Debut’, and both Whatsonstage’s ‘Best Supporting Actor’ and ‘Best New Play’.