POSSUM TROT
- Nicole Kent
- Nov 3
- 5 min read
Inspired by the ongoing battles faced by family farms across America’s heartland, Possum Trot by Kathy Rucker seamlessly blends poignancy with laughter for a timely exploration of pervasive issues affecting small-town communities.
Set in Possum Trot, Nebraska, the play follows Maxine, played by Sarah Berger (An Inspector Calls; Doctor Who), a resilient diner owner on a one-woman mission to preserve the spirit of her town while wrangling with her chaotic family. Frantic but hilarious, Possum Trot showcases the universal insight that even in the toughest circumstances, humour and community can overcome adversity.
💛 12th - 29th, November 2025
💛 Tabard Theatre, 2 Bath Road London W4 1LW
💛 Tickets - £23.50 (booking fee may apply)
INTERVIEW: Dani Alrington, actress, 'Prudence' in Possum Trot
Can you tell us a bit about Prudence? Who is she, and how does she fit into the world of Possum Trot?
Pru is the daughter of Maxine, who runs the diner in Possum Trot, the beating heart of this story. She’s grown up in the town and now has her own family farm, which is facing financial struggles. Pru’s at a real turning point in her life: her only child is about to leave home, and that brings up a lot of big questions about who she is and what comes next.
What drew you to this role when you first read Kathy Rucker’s script?
Kathy has such an extraordinary gift for writing fully rounded, complex, real characters. Pru
isn’t the perfect mum, wife, or daughter, she’s figuring it out as she goes, like so many of us.
I instantly connected with her experience of motherhood and the constant juggle of caring
deeply for everyone around her. The mental load that women in their forties often carry, to be present for their children, partners, and parents, really resonated with me.
Prudence lives in a small Nebraska town that’s fighting for survival—what are the
biggest challenges she faces personally and emotionally?
Pru and her husband Jeremiah are under enormous financial strain. The changing climate
has hit their farm hard, and she’s questioning whether life outside Possum Trot might offer
more stability. On a deeper level, she’s wrestling with her sense of purpose and wondering
what her life adds up to and whether she’s made the right choices. The town she grew up in
has changed so much, and she’s struggling to find her footing in this new version of it.
How did you prepare to embody someone from rural America? Did you do any
specific research or draw inspiration from anyone in particular?
I’ve been listening to a brilliant podcast called Growing Small Town Nebraska, which gives
such an authentic insight into small-town life, real people, real stories, and community
events. It’s been invaluable for understanding the rhythm of life there and tuning my ear to
the accent. I’m also a massive Yellowstone fan, so I’ve definitely taken a bit of inspiration
from that world but thankfully, with fewer shootouts!
What do you find most relatable about Prudence—and what feels furthest from your own experience?
I really relate to Pru’s sense of responsibility and her desire to hold everything together for
everyone she loves. Being a working Mum myself with two children of my own, the constant
juggling act feels very familiar. What feels furthest from my own life is the rural, agricultural
side of her world. I’ve never had to worry about the weather determining whether or not I can pay my bills, and that uncertainty adds a very real weight to her life.
Possum Trot balances humour and heartbreak. As an actor, how do you navigate
those tonal shifts on stage?
That’s one of the things I love most about Kathy’s writing, it mirrors real life. Even in our
hardest moments, there’s always humour. For me, the key is to stay completely truthful. We
have a fantastic generous cast and our brilliant director, Scott Le Crass has encouraged us
to dig deep into these scenes and really identify the tonal shifts within it, and most
importantly to keep playing and discovering.
The play shines a light on the resilience of small-town communities. Has it changed the way you think about community or home?
Definitely. Working on Possum Trot has reminded me how powerful genuine community can
be. It’s made me appreciate the small, everyday gestures that build a sense of belonging. I
think we can all learn something from towns like Possum Trot, where people still know their
neighbours’ names and keep an eye out for one another.
Kathy Rucker described Possum Trot as “a love letter to small towns and a rallying cry for their survival.” What message do you hope audiences take away from the story?
I hope audiences leave feeling both moved and hopeful. Possum Trot reminds us that even
when life feels uncertain or unfair, community, connection, and compassion can carry us
through.
The play explores generational ties and change—how do you see that dynamic
shaping Pru’s journey?
For Pru, there’s this constant pull between past and future. She’s part of a lineage of women
who’ve held things together with grit and grace, and now she’s trying to figure out how to do
the same in a world that’s changing fast. Her daughter’s independence both fills her with
pride and forces her to confront her own sense of identity beyond motherhood.
Did listening to Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan—who inspired the writing—help
you get into the mood or mindset of the piece?
Definitely! Listening to Bruce instantly transports you to that world!
What has been the most challenging part of playing Prudence?
For me, the biggest challenge has been tapping into that slower, more grounded rhythm of
life that small-town America embodies. Pru comes from a world where people just get on
with things, they work hard, they don’t make a fuss, and they don’t often talk about how
they’re really feeling. There’s a deep practicality to her, a quiet endurance, and as someone
who tends to process things quite outwardly, it’s been a real exercise in restraint. Finding
those moments where emotion sits just beneath the surface, unspoken but deeply felt, has
been wonderful to play.
What has been the most rewarding part of the process?
Working with such a brilliant, talented cast and creative team who all care so deeply about
this story.
If Prudence could give one piece of advice to people today facing their own
“Possum Trot moments,” what would it be?
I think she’d say, “Life rarely turns out exactly how we planned, but there’s strength in picking yourself up, dusting off, and finding new purpose”. She’d also probably remind you to hold your people close and look after your community.
Comments