Duty
by Susanne Crosby
DUTY premiered at The Lantern Theatre, Brighton, in May 2025, produced by Twilight Theatre, and has been invited back to the Lantern Theatre for their “Second Chance Fringe” selection in November 2025.
As the First World War unfolds, three friends in rural Sussex feel very different calls to duty; changing their lives forever.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Theatre in Brighton
Theatre in Brighton REVIEW here – quote:
Fringe Review
November 2025 Review Here
May 2025 Review Here
“A fresh and urgent play, Duty should tour as a salutary reminder of how war impacts community, divides war-influenced majority from the few who see through war.”
May 2025 View From The Gods review here
“An important story and a gripping watch” Brighton Source Full Review Here
Latest Review November 2025 here
Cast for November 2025
Top L to R: Matt Vickery, Jordan Southwell, Bottom L to R: Jake Marchant, Susanne Crosby
Three of the original cast return in November to reprise their roles, with writer and creator Susanne Crosby taking the role of Mags, due to a last minute unforeseen scheduling clash for Sam Nixon, who played the role in May 2025.
Show Photos
Photos courtesy Peter Williams. Full Gallery here.
May 2025
What is duty? Is it a call to King and Country or to humanity: can it be both?
Audience Feedback
Photo Gallery by Photographer Peter Williams click here
Press release Here
Touring Information Here
Performances
Part of Brighton Fringe Festival 2025
The Lantern Theatre, Brighton, May 2025, produced by Twilight Theatre
Cast
John – Matt Vickery
Matt Vickery plays John, the man running his family farm between Seaford and Eastbourne with his mother in 1914.
Matt is an actor and writer who graduated from ArtsEd in 2021 with an MA in acting.
Matt is the co-star and co-author of THE KENNINGTON LOOP (Funded by Arts Council England). His recent stage credits include A CHRISTMAS CAROL (ADG European Tour) Charlie in ‘Artlandish Productions’ MUSIC FOR CATS (Brighton Fringe), James in LUCY’S PHARMAKON (Femfest, Actors Theatre), Jordan in Oxia Theatre’s ASSISTED.
Harry – Jordan Southwell
Jordan Southwell plays Harry, one of the farm hands and John’s good friend.
Jordan trained at Sylvia Young Theatre School. His work in Theatre includes Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, A Doll’s House and last year Sheep Love to Die at Printers Playhouse. TV includes Doctor Who, Holby Blue and short films for Blue Peter. He has worked as a presenter for Children’s TV channels including Boomerang and Cartoon Network.
Joe – Jake Marchant
Jake Marchant plays Joe, one of the farm hands and the diplomat of the group..
Jake is local to Brighton and has been involved in a few productions over the last couple of years. Jake won the Mike Padley Award for Best Supporting Actor in Wick Theatre’s “Deathtrap” playing Clifford. Jake has been involved in short film work for local directors, most recently appearing in Sam Milletti’s latest production. He studied Theatre and Drama at Sussex University.
Mags – Sam Nixon
Sam Nixon plays Mags, who owns and runs the farm with her son John.
Sam’s love of theatre began many years ago when she performed in a youth club drama workshop tour at 13 years old. She graduated with a degree in drama and has toured with TIE companies and several musical productions.
As well as bringing Julie Andrews to life in the 5star ‘Practically Perfect’ she has recently performed as Fagin in Oliver Twist, Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, Elizabeth I in Mary Stuart, Portia in Merchant of Venice, Alice in Queers, and in several award-winning Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe plays.
Represented by Goldmans Management
Susanne Crosby – Writer & Director
Susanne is an award winning writer, critically and popularly acclaimed actor and award winning director. She is the founder and Creative Director of Twilight Theatre Company and has been making theatre for over 25 years. She has had popular and critical success with all of her plays, including “Days” **** (Reviews Hub) Brighton Fringe 2023, and “Waiting for Curry” ***** (Meridian FM) and ‘Highly Recommended’ (Fringe Review), was picked up by a London Theatre in 2019. In addition to directing for Twilight Theatre she also directs for Wick Theatre Company, Southwick Players and Brighton Little Theatre as well as freelance, and she edited and directed the award winning “20 to Something” in Brighton Fringe 2014. She has also been part of several films, both in front of the camera as an actor and as a presenter, and behind the camera as director, researcher and writer to create educational documentary films; a number of which focus specifically on the First World War era, including Sound Architect Creative Media’s film “The Day Sussex Died”, about the Battle of Boar’s Head.
