Pepper and Honey |

Notnow Collective presents

Pepper and Honey

by Kristina Gavran

World Premiere

So, what’s home? As the era of post-Brexit Britain looms large, that question has never been more pertinent… That’s the question Ana, a young Croatian woman, poses as she settles in the UK.

Pepper and Honey is Notnow Collective’s freshest bun in the oven (pun intended!). Funded by Arts Council England, we previewed our new show at Derby Theatre in March 2019, and are now touring the final production in November 2019 prior to a further UK tour throughout 2020.

“A beautifully written story. There was not a dry eye in the house by the end.” – Reviews Hub ★★★★

Written by a Croatian playwright, Kristina Gavran, and performed by a Croatian actor, Tina Hofman, Pepper and Honey is a poignant, subtle and timely play about the journey of change, cultural differences, trying not to feel like a foreigner in your adopted country and the conflict between upholding the traditions of the ‘old country’ and embracing those of the new.

Ana has been on a journey. Croatian born, she’s arrived in the UK, determined to make it home. As she focuses on life in this new land, she is haunted by the voice of her Grandma- calling for her to stay true to national identity and yearning for Ana to come home. But what is now ‘home’ to Ana? A play of love, loss, culture, heritage and new beginnings…?

The story is told through the process of making paprenjaci (Croatian traditional pepper biscuits). Invented in the Renaissance, paprenjaci are a blend of local ingredients (honey, walnuts and olive oil) and spices from “discovered” continents (clove, cardamom and black pepper). The biscuits are made in front of (and with the help of) the audience, and the spicy-sweet story is woven throughout, using text, physical theatre and baking.

With this show, Notnow Collective are taking work into the rural touring sector for the first time, and are also extending our parent-friendly offer as we pilot a FREE creche alongside the show for older kids.

Book for November 2019 performances:

Voila! Europe Festival, The Cockpit, London, 9th November (5pm) – BOOK

Voila! Europe Festival, The Cockpit, London, 10th November (3pm) – BOOK

Arena Wolverhampton, 16th November, (7.30pm) – BOOK

Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 17th November (7pm) – BOOK

Spring 2020 tour dates announced soon.

Pepper and Honey is supported by In Good Company, the Unity Theatre Trust, the Sir Barry Jackson Trust, and by National Lottery funding from Arts Council England.

Creative team:

Written by- Kristina Gavran

Directed by- Tilly Branson

Performed by- Tina Hofman

Composer- Jovana Backovic

Lighting Designer- James Stokes

Sound Designer- Adam McCready

Projection Designer- David Hately

Movement Director – Kitty Randle

Graphic Design – Fernando

PR- Jo McLeish

Marketing- Claire Bowdler

Producer- Corinne Salisbury

We’ve shown our earliest ideas for this show at Scratch That Itch at Derby Theatre, Pulse Festival’s Scratch Day, York Theatre Royal, Arc Stockton, and as part of Camden People’s Theatre’s No Direction Home Festival