Invisible Me: Tessa Peake-Jones Stars at Southwark Playhouse Spring 2026

Key Points

• Invisible Me, a new comedy drama written by Bren Gosling, will premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
• The production runs from Wednesday, April 8, through Saturday, May 2, 2026.
• Star Tessa Peake-Jones portrays Lynn, a hotel cleaner with hidden desires.
• Directed by Scott Le Crass, known for Rose and The Olive Boy.
• Produced by BACKSTORY alongside Olivier Award-nominated producer Joe Brown.
• Further casting to be announced.
• Press night scheduled for Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tickets priced from £10 to £25, with previews, concessions, and weekday discounts.
• Running time approximately 75 minutes; recommended for ages 16+.
• Content warnings include references to domestic abuse, bereavement, loneliness, online sex, and drug use.
• Story follows three working-class Londoners over 60 navigating life, desire, and connection.
• Characters include Jack, an HIV-positive widower, and Alec, a retired punk facing ageing realities.
• Explores themes of intimacy, loss, ageing, loneliness, and visibility in later life.

Southwark, London (South London News) February 4, 2026 – Invisible Me, a poignant new comedy drama penned by Bren Gosling, is set to grace the stage at Southwark Playhouse Borough from April 8 through May 2, 2026, starring acclaimed actress Tessa Peake-Jones in the lead role of Lynn. The production, which opens formally with a press night on Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., promises to delve into the lives of three working-class Londoners confronting the complexities of desire and connection after turning 60. Directed by Scott Le Crass and produced by BACKSTORY in association with Olivier Award-nominated Joe Brown, the play challenges societal assumptions about ageing and visibility, offering a fresh lens on intimacy and community in later life.​

What Is Invisible Me About?

Invisible Me centres on three distinct characters whose stories intertwine to examine what it means to seek love and belonging in one’s later years.

As detailed in the official announcement from BroadwayWorld UK Regional, the narrative follows Lynn, played by Tessa Peake-Jones, a hotel cleaner whose seemingly ordinary existence masks deep-seated longings and unspoken desires. Alongside her is Jack, a recent widower living with HIV, tentatively re-entering the dating scene after decades in a committed relationship, and Alec, a self-proclaimed retired punk whose bold bravado meets the unyielding truths of ageing.​

The play, as described across multiple BroadwayWorld reports, probes profound themes including intimacy, loss, loneliness, and the quest for community, all while subverting stereotypes about older individuals. Bren Gosling’s script highlights the often-overlooked voices of those over 60, portraying their struggles with visibility in a youth-obsessed society.

No additional sources beyond BroadwayWorld’s comprehensive coverage from February 3, 2026, have emerged as of this reporting, underscoring the announcement’s centrality to the story.​

Who Are the Key Creative Team Members?

The production boasts a talented ensemble behind the scenes. Bren Gosling serves as the playwright, crafting a comedy drama that balances humour with heartfelt exploration of mature relationships. Direction falls to Scott Le Crass, whose prior credits include the critically received Rose and The Olive Boy, bringing his nuanced touch to stories of human connection.​

Scott Le Crass commented on the project’s significance, stating that the play

“offers space for older voices often overlooked onstage, centering stories of connection and belonging that resonate across generations.”

Production is helmed by BACKSTORY, in collaboration with Joe Brown, an Olivier Award nominee whose involvement lends prestige to this intimate staging. Tessa Peake-Jones, best known for her roles in television and theatre, takes on Lynn, embodying the character’s quiet resilience. Further casting details remain pending, with announcements expected closer to the rehearsal period.​

When and Where Will Invisible Me Run?

Southwark Playhouse Borough, located at 77–85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD, will host the world premiere run from Wednesday, April 8, to Saturday, May 2, 2026. This intimate venue, renowned for nurturing new works, provides the perfect backdrop for Gosling’s character-driven piece. The press night, a key event for critics and media, is slated for Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., allowing ample time for previews to refine the production.​

The schedule accommodates a brisk 75-minute running time, making it accessible for theatregoers seeking concise yet impactful evenings. As per BroadwayWorld’s ticketing details, performances will feature previews, ensuring audiences experience the show in its evolving form before the official opening.​

How Can Audiences Secure Tickets?

Tickets for Invisible Me are now available, priced from £10 to £25, with a range of options to broaden accessibility. Concessions for seniors, students, and other groups, alongside weekday discounts, aim to fill seats across the run. Previews offer entry-level pricing, encouraging early support for this new work.​

Patrons are advised to book via the Southwark Playhouse Borough website or box office, as demand for Peake-Jones’ performances and the venue’s reputation may drive sales. The production carries a 16+ age recommendation due to mature themes, ensuring the content suits its reflective tone.​

What Themes Does the Play Tackle?

At its core, Invisible Me confronts the invisibility that can accompany ageing, particularly for working-class Londoners. The characters’ journeys—Lynn’s suppressed yearnings, Jack’s cautious foray into dating post-bereavement and with his HIV status, and Alec’s clash between past punk rebellion and present vulnerabilities—illuminate broader societal issues.​

Content warnings are explicitly noted: references to domestic abuse, bereavement, loneliness, online sex, and drug use prepare audiences for unflinching realism amid the comedy. As articulated in the BroadwayWorld feature, the play challenges assumptions about single life post-60, fostering empathy for desires that persist regardless of age.​

Why Focus on Older Characters?

Scott Le Crass emphasised this in his statement: the work provides

“space for older voices often overlooked onstage.”

By centring working-class narratives, Gosling and the team spotlight underrepresented stories, questioning why ageing equates to diminished visibility or relevance.​

Who Is Tessa Peake-Jones?

Tessa Peake-Jones brings formidable credentials to Lynn. A veteran of stage and screen, she garnered acclaim in Only Fools and Horses and continues to excel in theatre, her nuanced portrayals capturing quiet strength and complexity. Her casting anchors the production, drawing fans eager to see her tackle Gosling’s richly drawn role.​

What Makes Southwark Playhouse Borough Ideal?

This Borough venue has a storied history of premiering bold new plays, its intimate space amplifying emotional intimacy—perfect for Invisible Me‘s themes of connection. Past successes here underscore its role in launching voices like Gosling’s.​

Are There Any Production Updates?

As of February 4, 2026, no further casting or creative announcements have surfaced beyond BroadwayWorld’s initial report. The outlet, a primary source for UK regional theatre news, detailed all aspects from dates to warnings comprehensively. Monitoring continues for additional media pickups.​

Background on the Creative Team

Bren Gosling’s debut in this format marks an exciting entry, his script blending comedy with drama to humanise later-life struggles. Joe Brown’s Olivier nomination elevates the production’s profile, signalling quality. Le Crass’s direction promises sensitivity to the material’s depths.​

In a landscape craving diverse age representation, Invisible Me arrives timely, inviting reflection on enduring human needs. Southwark Playhouse Borough’s spring lineup gains a gem, with Tessa Peake-Jones leading the charge into uncharted emotional territory.​