A YORK actress, known for her theatre roles and BBC's Happy Valley, is set to shine in York Theatre Royal’s latest production of a classic novel.

York actress Kate Hampson is set to play Marmee in Little Women this autumn, returning to York Theatre Royal after her starring role in the theatre’s community production of The Coppergate Woman back in 2020.

The cast is also set to include Jack Ashton, best known as the Rev Tom Hereward in BBC-TV’s Call the Midwife.


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One of Kate’s best-known credits is her role as Kim Walsh in Season 4 of ITV’s The Bay, appearing alongside her real-life son Arthur Kay as Lewis Walsh. She also starred in the title role in the Coppergate Woman and as Mother/Mrs Perks in The Railway Children at Hull Truck Theatre.

York Theatre Royal’s production of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was adapted by Anne-Marie Casey and directed by Juliet Forster and will open the autumn season at the theatre from September 21 to October 12.

Kate Hampson with a copy of Little WomenKate Hampson with a copy of Little Women (Image: York Theatre Royal)

The production will offer a fresh take on the timeless coming-of-age story of headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth and Amy as they grow up in New England during the American Civil War.

Juliet Forster, creative director at York Theatre Royal, said: “We are thrilled to be staging an adaptation of such a much-loved classic. Louisa May Alcott’s story of Jo and her sisters finding their way in the world is so relatable to modern audiences and Anne-Marie Casey’s brilliant adaptation really brings to life the wonderful characters.”