Writer Shelagh Delaney

Shelagh Delaney, born on 25 November 1938, brought a fresh and spirited voice to the 1950s theatre scene. Female, a teenager, Northern and working-class.

Her first play, A Taste of Honey, was directed by the renowned Joan Littlewood and first performed at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. It later transferred to the West End and was subsequently adapted into a film.

The 1950s marked the beginning of a transformation in British theatre, bringing about a cultural revolution known as 'kitchen sink drama'. This new style of theatre explored everyday life and working-class experiences, making theatre more accessible and relevant to working-class audiences.

Shelagh Delaney's daughter, Charlotte Delaney, has created a website that serves as a living archive.


Shelagh Delaney

Read All About Shelagh Delaney

2028 marks 70 years since Salford-born playwright Shelagh Delaney wrote her groundbreaking play A Taste of Honey.

To celebrate this remarkable anniversary, her daughter Charlotte Delaney, alongside long-time producer Polly Thomas, is planning a special season of events in Salford honouring Shelagh’s life, work and lasting legacy. Exciting plans include a BBC Radio 4 documentary, a musical adaptation of A Taste of Honey with Jools Holland, and the newly released audio drama Catch Me Who Can, a previously unproduced play now available on Spotify.

A wonderful opportunity to celebrate one of Salford’s most iconic literary voices and introduce her work to a new generation.

Catch Me Who Can

A Play By Shelagh Delaney Adapted By Charlotte Delaney

Catch Me Who Can is a play that asks questions about freedom. It tells the story of Hattie, a teenage girl trying to find her freedom by running away from school and home. Her search, or her desire for escape has a profound influence on her teacher Mr. Halliwell, played by Toby Jones, whose rather cosy life is unsettled by her ‘flight’.