Generational drama unfolding in Blackpool, 1976, as the Webb Sisters return to their mother’s guest house during a sweltering summer.
| Playwright | Jez Butterworth |
| Publication date | 4th February 2025 |
| Publisher | Theatre Communications Group |
| Imprint | Nick Hern Books |
| Pages | 144 |
| Format | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781636702186 |
| Key Themes | Family, Tragicomedy, Generational Drama, Blackpool, Nostalgia |
What’s the play about?
The Hills of California is the latest work by Jez Butterworth, exploring the intertwined lives of the Webb Sisters as they gather at their mother’s failing guest house in The Hills of California. Set in Blackpool’s scorching summer of 1976, the play examines family bonds, past regrets, and the weight of time. Known for his deeply layered storytelling, Butterworth weaves a rich narrative filled with humor, heartbreak, and nostalgia.
Productions & Critical Responses
Critics have praised the play’s depth, humor, and emotional resonance. Reviews describe it as “magnificent, moving and quietly furious” (Financial Times) and “devastatingly moving, bitterly funny, tender, cruel and wise” (The Stage). Time Out London calls it “a remarkable play…unfurls with the richness and depth of a well-crafted novel.”
A bit about Jez Butterworth
Jez Butterworth is an acclaimed playwright whose works include The Ferryman, Mojo, The Night Heron, and Jerusalem. His plays have premiered at prestigious venues such as the Royal Court Theatre and the Almeida Theatre in London. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the E. M. Forster Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play. Butterworth resides in Somerset, England.
