The Wife of Cyncoed & Idyll: two plays

In The Wife of Cyncoed, Jayne is newly retired and disappointed with her life. She's in danger of becoming her daughter's babysitting service, and is desperate to make a change. When she meets a handsome stranger in the park – and an opportunity to do something for herself arises – can Jayne allow herself a second chance at happiness?

This charming and open-hearted play premiered at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, in 2024, and provides gloriously entertaining opportunities for a mature solo performer.

In Idyll, tempers are fraying in the scorching heat as a rural village is overwhelmed by noise, cars and day trippers… Scratch the surface and you'll find danger bubbling away. This captivating short play was first presented as an open-air production by Pentabus Theatre Company in 2021.



Matt Hartley's other plays include the Bruntwood Prize-winning Sixty Five Miles, Here I Belong (Pentabus), Deposit (Hampstead Theatre) and Eyam (Shakespeare's Globe).



'[Idyll is] a compelling rural portrait put across with vigour'



'Scorching... [The Wife of Cyncoed is] a rare gem that provokes, moves and titillates... strikingly observant and well written... a fun, deeply sensual tale of dormant desire finally freed... refreshingly raunchy'



'[The Wife of Cyncoed is] a tour de force that manages to be both entertaining and poignant'