WHAT’S IN GRACE’S SATCHEL? A VERY GOOD DOG AND A VERY IMPORTANT STORY
Well hello there — Grace Hatchell here, boots back on the pavement and satchel officially reopened for 2026. And what’s the very first delivery of the year? A brand-new play, a beloved theatre, and — hold onto your programmes — an emotional support dog guiding us through one of history’s most difficult moments.
York Theatre Royal, English Touring Theatre and An Tobar and Mull Theatre have announced the full cast and creative team for The Last Picture, a thoughtful new play by Catherine Dyson that asks big questions about empathy, memory and imagination… all through the eyes of Sam, a very good dog indeed.
Yes. A dog. But not just any dog.
Sam is an emotional support dog who gently leads a group of schoolchildren — and us — through a museum exhibit set in Europe, 1939. As history darkens, Sam stays right by our side. Looking after us. Keeping us safe. (Frankly, we could all do with a Sam.)
Taking on the role of Sam is actor and storyteller Robin Simpson, a familiar and much-loved face at York Theatre Royal, where audiences know him best as their warm, hilarious and gloriously camp pantomime Dame. This time, though, Robin swaps slapstick for something quieter, deeper and rather beautiful.
His recent stage credits include Footloose, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sense & Sensibility, Gaslight, Men of the World, Guy Fawkes and Abigail’s Party — and if you’ve ever seen him command a stage, you’ll know he has just the right mix of heart, humour and humanity for a role like this.
The production is directed by John R. Wilkinson, who reunites with English Touring Theatre following his award-winning Mugabe, My Dad and Me. John brings together a stellar creative team: Natasha Jenkins (Designer), Benny Goodman (Lighting Designer), Max Pappenheim (Sound Designer) and Alexia Kalogiannidis (Movement Director).
The Last Picture opens at York Theatre Royal on 6 February 2026, with a preview on 5 February, and runs in York until 14 February before heading out on tour to HOME Manchester, Bristol Old Vic and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Worth noting too — this play was one of the winning scripts selected by the RSC for their 37 Plays competition in 2023, which is always a little gold star in Grace’s book.
Robin Simpson says he was blown away when he first read Catherine Dyson’s script, describing it as moving, thoughtful and unlike anything he’d encountered before. Catherine herself speaks of the joy of seeing her work brought to life on stage, while director John R. Wilkinson promises a profoundly human and immersive journey that relies on the audience’s imagination as much as performance.
And honestly? That sounds exactly like the kind of theatre we need right now.
Picture this.
It’s 2026.
You’re in a theatre.
You’re a Year 9 student on a school trip.
You’re a citizen of Europe in 1939.
And while you imagine — Sam is there. Watching. Waiting. Looking after you.
This is a play about empathy. Its power. Its limits. And what it asks of us. About the past we share, the present we’re living in, and the choices still ahead.
Grace’s verdict?
A brave concept. A gentle guide. And a story that trusts its audience.
Satchel stamped. First delivery of the year complete.
LISTINGS THE LAST PICTURE
York Theatre Royal
5 February – 14 February
Press performance: Friday 6 February 2026 at 7:45pm
Box Office: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk / 01904 623568
HOME, Manchester
18 – 21 February 2026
Box Office: www.homemcr.org / 0161 200 1500
Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
24 – 28 February 2026
Box Office:www.bristololdvic.org.uk / 0117 987 7877
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
5 – 7 March 2026
Box Office: www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk / 01483 440000
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