A punchy, music-fuelled play is set to take the stage in Reading.
Anthem for Dissatisfaction, a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the 2007 credit crunch in Belfast, will be performed at Reading’s South Street Arts Centre on November 13 at 8pm.
The play follows siblings Sarah and Jamie as they grow up under the weight of austerity, family struggles, and dreams fuelled by a love of music.
Tony Devlin, co-director, said: "Gina’s play is an explosion of working-class frustration against a system, specifically designed for them not to succeed.
"It’s a powerful and hilarious commentary of the cost of living status quo as well as the current state of chassis in the world, told through two characters that we cannot help but love and wish to succeed."
Written and co-directed by Gina Donnelly alongside Mr Devlin, Anthem for Dissatisfaction charts Sarah and Jamie’s journey from outspoken 11-year-olds to young adults navigating an uncertain future.
The original run of the play was commissioned by through the ACNI Commissioning Fund and co-produced by Brassneck Theatre Company and SkelpieLimmer Productions.
It has already earned acclaim, winning awards during its 2025 runs at the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe festivals.
Set in a family struggling to make ends meet, the play explores the realities of growing up on benefits in a society where poverty has become a punchline.
The story is brought to life by a high-energy soundtrack featuring music from Oasis, The Jam, Thin Lizzy, Bruce Springsteen, and Sam Fender.
These generation-defining songs serve as both escape and expression for the siblings, capturing the defiance and hope of youth under pressure.
The play does not shy away from difficult themes including loss, death, and grief, but it is equally rich in humour and heart.
It has been described as "a defiant rip-roaring tour de force" by reviewers and praised for its unfiltered depiction of working-class life.
Emily Lamey and Simon Sweeney star in the production, which forms part of a tour across the south east of England this November.
Tickets for the Reading performance are priced at £16, or £14 for members.
They are available through the What’s On Reading website at www.whatsonreading.com/anthem-for-dissatisfaction.
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