The Lady in the Van

An eccentric old lady moves into a quiet street in Camden Town. There she remains, installed in her van in glorious self-sufficiency, until the council instructs her to move on. Then a kind homeowner invites her to move her van into his garden – where she stays for the next fifteen years. Based on the true story, this is the fascinating story of the genteel vagrant who found a unique place in Alan Bennett’s life and writing. Thought provoking and moving, The Lady in the Van tackles profound questions about social responsibility, homelessness and mental illness with the lightness of touch characteristic of Bennett the master storyteller. Written by one of the nation’s best loved playwrights, this is a funny, poignant, and life-affirming story that we are delighted to be bringing to the stage in Longwood.