A coming-of-age theatre production combining rock, punk, pop, politics and poverty is heading to Luton Library Theatre this month.
Anthem for Dissatisfaction will be performed on Tuesday, 17 November, at 7.30pm, following award-winning runs at the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe festivals in 2025.
Written by Gina Donnelly, the production follows siblings Sarah and Jamie as they grow up in recession-hit Belfast, navigating family struggles, financial hardship and an uncertain future against a soundtrack of anthems from some of music’s biggest names.
The story charts the siblings’ lives from boisterous 11-year-olds in the aftermath of the 2007 credit crunch through to their late 20s, as they discover that growing up does not necessarily mean leaving their problems behind.
With songs by Oasis, The Jam, Thin Lizzy, Bruce Springsteen and Sam Fender among others, the show explores what it means to grow up in a working-class family struggling to make ends meet, with music providing both an escape and a rallying cry.
Sarah is 11 months and four days older than her brother Jamie, a fact she believes makes her smarter, cooler and right about everything. While she champions the likes of Oasis and Manic Street Preachers, she also recognises the warning signs when their father loses his job and the family’s circumstances begin to deteriorate.
The story then moves to 2023, where rising bills and dwindling opportunities mean the siblings are once again facing an uncertain future.
Described as an electric and hilarious celebration of teenage angst, sibling rivalry and love, Anthem for Dissatisfaction combines working-class humour with an exploration of more difficult subjects, including loss, death and grief.
Co-director Tony Devlin 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”.
The production has been praised by critics for its combination of music, humour and emotional storytelling.
The Indiependent awarded it five stars, describing it as a production for which “Words can’t do justice to how good Anthem for Dissatisfaction is”, while BingeFringe called it “heartbreaking, healing, and affirming”.
Written by Gina Donnelly of SkelpieLimmer Productions, the show is co-directed by Donnelly and Brassneck Theatre artistic director Tony Devlin. It stars Emily Lamey and Simon Sweeney.
The production runs for 65 minutes and is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over.
Tickets for the Luton performance at Luton Library Theatre, St George’s Square, cost £15 or £12.
They are available from www.librarytheatre.net.
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