The spotlight may fall on one performer, but behind new show Perhaps stands a powerful sister act determined to make their mark on London theatre.
Two Bushey sisters, Hayley and Amy Cregor, are bringing their production to Circle & Star Theatre in Hampstead from Monday, April 13 to Wednesday, April 15, transforming a university dissertation into a full-scale London debut.
Written in 2025 as part of Hayley’s Masters in playwriting at the University of Manchester, Perhaps tells the story of student Lena Johnson, who is navigating family struggles and drug addiction. The play is filtered through Lena’s experience, to show how perspective can be clouded by drug use.
Speaking to BUSHEYnews, Hayley said: “I knew from a writing aspect I wanted it to be from Lena’s perspective. It leaves questions about whether she is telling the full story or not.”
This idea of the play was inspired by Hayley’s observations of university life and the social pressures that can quietly escalate.
Hayley explained: “At university there is this party culture. The most unassuming people can start drinking more or taking more drugs because there is pressure and a sense that you have to.”
Since submitting her dissertation, Hayley has revised the script several times, experimenting with different endings and learning to trust the audience to read between the lines.
She said: “A lot of the feedback about the play was to stop Lena explaining things and let the audience infer meaning through what she’s saying and doing.”
While the play may carry Hayley’s voice, it has become a sisterly collaboration, with Amy helping shape every step from idea to performance.
Amy, who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama after studying at the University of Leeds, has overseen everything from budgeting the 55-seat venue, organising technicians, and marketing ticket sales.
Speaking to busheynews, Amy said: “It has been lovely working together. Growing up, Hayley was more of the sporty sister and I was the creative one, so this has been special.”
It is a milestone for the sisters, but both hope it is the start of many more stories brought to life together.
Tickets will be available at www.circleandstar.com
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