Daphne
The Secret Lives of Daphne Du Maurier
Written by Rosie Race.
Inspired by the enigmatic life of Daphne du Maurier, Daphne is an arresting, funny and darkly magical portrait of a woman on the brink, preparing to sign an embargo that will lock away her secrets forever.
As the document waits before her, pen hovering in hand, Daphne is swept into a storm of memory. Time fractures, reality blurs, and the desires, fears and obsessions that shaped her life come roaring back to the surface.
Haunted by her past and torn between public persona and private self, Daphne must confront the fluid identity, fierce imagination and untameable spirit that fuelled some of the 20th century’s most iconic writing.
“Emma Stansfield gave a performance I cannot imagine being equalled by anyone again. Superlatives fail me”
Audience Review
“This is one of the best plays I’ve ever seen”
Audience Review
“Excellent story beautifully played by the whole cast”
Audience Review
“Such a powerful script, imaginative direction and brilliant staging”
Audience Review
“Amazing, fascinating and deserving of a national audience”
Audience Review
“Possibly the best play I’ve seen at the Northcott”
Audience Review
A stellar cast with exceptional stage and screen credits includes Emma Stansfield playing the title role (The Crown, Netflix; The Salisbury Poisonings, BBC; Roots, Donmar Warehouse and The Tempest, National Theatre) joined by Tristan Beint (The Great, Hulu; Towards Zero, BBC; The Country Wife, Theatre Royal Haymarket and West Side Story, The Princes Trust), Danielle Bird (The 39 Steps, Mercury Theatre; The Comedy of Errors, Grosvenor Open Air Theatre; The Worst Witch, UK Tour/Vaudeville Theatre and The Investigator, ITV/Netflix) and William Mannering (Richard III, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre – Blenheim; A Woman of No Importance, Vaudeville Theatre; As You Like It, Shakespeare’s Globe and Poldark, BBC)
Watch the trailer
Access performances
BSL-interpreted performance: Tue 7 Jul, 7.30pm. BSL interpretation provided by Melissa Skinner from The Inclusivity Group.
Audio-described performances: Wed 8 Jul 2026, 7.30pm (including a touch tour before the show at 6.30pm), Sat 11 Jul, 02.30pm. Audio description and touch tour by Shannon Griffin.
Relaxed performance: Sat 11 Jul, 2.30pm
Captioned performance: Sat 11 Jul, 7.30pm. Captioning by by Shannon Griffin.
Watch the BSL trailer
Post show discussion 9th July
Join us for a post-show discussion following Exeter Northcott’s new production of Daphne: The Secret Lives of Daphne du Maurier. We will be joined by Playwright and Associate Director Rosie Race, Director and Exeter Northcott’s Creative Director and Chief Executive Martin Berry, University of Exeter Emeritus Professor Dr Helen Taylor and members of the cast. We will be covering all things Daphne du Maurier in this amazing look into the process of bringing Daphne to the stage.
Audiences are encouraged to stay, ask questions and share thoughts in what promises to be a lively and engaging exploration of the play.
Creative Team
Rosie Race – Writer and Associate Director
Martin Berry – Director
Laura McEwen – Set and Costume Designer
Dinah Mullen – Sound Designer
Nick Laws – Video Designer
Marcus Bartlett – Lighting Designer
Imogen Francis – Intimacy Director
Cait Laws – Producer
Sarah Dickenson – Dramaturg
Sam Parker – Supporting Dramaturg
Zaid Al Rikabi – Composer
Northcott Theatre
This performance contains adult themes, depiction of smoking, flashing lights, loud noises, haze and strong language.
