Cling to Me Like Ivy by Samantha Ellis is a bold and engaging stage play that examines cultural identity, love, and personal freedom in the modern world. Premiering at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the play centres on Rivka, a young woman from a traditional Jewish family who is expected to marry within her community. When she begins to question what she truly wants, she faces a clash between faith, family duty, and individual choice. With warmth, wit, and honesty, Ellis explores universal themes of belonging and self-definition, bringing to the stage a story that feels both deeply personal and widely relatable. Her writing combines comedy and compassion, creating a play that speaks to anyone who has struggled between expectation and independence. Published as a full play script, Cling to Me Like Ivy is ideal for drama students, theatre practitioners, and readers interested in contemporary British playwriting. Perfect for readers who enjoy:• Modern British theatre and contemporary play scripts• Stories exploring cultural identity and family• Feminist and faith-based drama• Works by writers such as Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Tanika Gupta, and Nina Raine Keywords: Cling to Me Like Ivy by Samantha Ellis, Birmingham Repertory Theatre play, modern British drama, play script, cultural identity in theatre, contemporary stage writing Publisher’s Synopsis: A sassy, offbeat comedy-drama about rebelling against your roots. Rivka wants the perfect Orthodox wedding. With two weeks to go, she has the man, the dress – and the wig. But when doubt is cast on her wig, everything starts to unravel. Rivka finds herself far from home, up a tree and in the midst of an anti-road protest, not knowing whether she’ll be able to go back to where she came from… Or even if she wants to. Samantha Ellis’ play Cling To Me Like Ivy was inspired by a chance remark by Victoria Beckham in 2004 which sparked a crisis within the Orthodox Jewish community about the wigs worn by married women. The play was first performed at The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, in February 2010, followed by a UK tour.
