Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Scrounger, Finborough Theatre
Stereotypes sharply challenged in dramatisation of fight against injustice by activist with a disability
DYNAMIC DUO: Athena Stevens (left) and Leigh Quinn [Lily McLeish]

THE #FINBOROUGHFORFREE initiative continues apace with a show from one of the west London’s theatre’s playwrights-in-residence.

Inspired by a traumatising ordeal in which she was removed from a flight and had her wheelchair damaged beyond repair, Scrounger tells the full story of Athena Stevens’s fight for justice.  

Adopting the character of Scrounger, Stevens bounces off her multi-roleing sidekick Leigh Quinn — PA as she is referred to in the cast list.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
 SISTERS IN HARMONY The Company of The ministry Of Lesbian Affairs [Pic Mark Senior]
Theatre review / 9 July 2025
9 July 2025

MAYER WAKEFIELD relishes a witty and uplifting rallying cry for unity, which highlights the erasure of queer women

cockfosters
Theatre review / 6 May 2025
6 May 2025

MAYER WAKEFIELD laments the lack of audience interaction and social diversity in a musical drama set on London’s Underground

(L to R) Arian Nik as Samir, Shazia Nicholls as Faiza) Sabrina Sandhu as Harleen
Culture / 15 April 2025
15 April 2025
MAYER WAKEFIELD has reservations about the direction of a play centered on a DVLA re-training session for three British-Pakistani motorists
AWKWARD HOMOGENISING OF RCIAL GROUPS: Gershwyn Eustache Jnr
Theatre Review / 3 March 2025
3 March 2025
MAYER WAKEFIELD wonders why this 1978 drama merits a revival despite demonstrating that the underlying theme of racism in the UK remains relevant
Similar stories
Lizzie Watts and Andre Squire in Jane Upton’s (the) Woman
Theatre review / 19 February 2025
19 February 2025
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
Fergus Greer, (L) Leigh Bowery Session 1 Look 2 1988; (R) Le
Follow the movement / 18 February 2025
18 February 2025
MATTHEW HAWKINS pays tribute to the performance artist and costumier, Leigh Bowery
VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCES: Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Au
Film of the week / 30 January 2025
30 January 2025
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE is dazzled by an extraordinary performance in a classic Mike Leigh film
(L) Playwright Richard Bean; (R) John Hollingworth as Donald
Interview / 5 November 2024
5 November 2024
MAYER WAKEFIELD speaks to playwright Richard Bean about his new play Reykjavik that depicts the exploitation of the Hull-based “far-fleet” trawlermen