WINNING FINALIST AT RYE ARTS FESTIVAL 2026.
Synopsis
Set in a quaint tearoom in the Cinque Port town of Rye, Jam First is a contemporary comedy about belonging, identity, and jam protocol. When anxious London financier Oliver arrives to meet a mysterious online date, he faces interrogation from sharp-eyed proprietor Margot and formidable local Dotty. As scone etiquette becomes a moral battlefield, Oliver reveals he’s come seeking love and escape. The twist is Dotty is “Marina,” who has catfished him as part of an unofficial community audition to protect Rye from the wrong newcomers. Warm and witty the play explores who truly earns the right to belong, and what a community will do to protect its identity.
Characters
- MARGOT – Late 50s. Proprietor of “The Salty Scone” tearoom. Brisk, watchful, proudly Ryese.
- OLIVER – Early 30s. Visiting from London. Overdressed for a coastal town (wears loafers without socks). Slightly anxious energy.
- DOTTY – Mid 70s. Local. Razor-sharp, floral hat, permanently installed at the corner table.
Setting
A quaint tearoom in Rye, East Sussex. chalkboard reads:
THE SALTY SCONE – Est. 1987
Proud to be in the Ancient Cinque Port of Rye
Jam First. Always.
Cost – £10
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