1st Stage Extends Fair Play

Responding to strong audience reception, 1st Stage has announced an extension for Ella Road's gripping drama Fair Play, now running through November 9, 2025. The production, which explores the complex intersection of athletics, identity, and systemic inequity in elite women's sports, has resonated deeply with DC-area theatergoers.

Fair Play at 1st Stage Theatre

Directed by 1st Stage Associate Artistic Director Deidra LaWan Starnes, Fair Play centers on Ann and Sophie, two track and field athletes whose friendship and rivalry unfold against the backdrop of competitive British athletics. The 90-minute drama features compelling performances by Mahkai Dominique as Ann, a British-Nigerian newcomer with exceptional potential, and Camille Pivetta as Sophie, an established white British runner who has been competing since childhood. As their bond deepens through shared training and competition, both women confront challenges that threaten not only their athletic careers but their very sense of self.

Road, hailed by The Telegraph as "the most promising young playwright in Britain," has crafted a work that feels urgently contemporary. The playwright tackles loaded subjects including doping, body autonomy, race, and gender politics within the athletic establishment, presenting these issues through sharp, naturalistic dialogue that captures the rhythms of working-class British speech. Critics have noted the text's rapid pace and its willingness to leave certain questions unresolved, inviting audiences to continue wrestling with these issues long after leaving the theater.

The production has earned praise for its technical achievements as well as its performances. Reviewers have highlighted the seamless collaboration between scenic designer Sarah Beth Hall, lighting designer Alberto Segarra, projection designer Mark Costello, and sound designer Thom Woodward in creating fluid transitions that advance the story without breaking the audience's connection to the characters. Hall's scenic design evokes everything from stadium to locker room, with an asymmetrical section of running track serving as a striking backdrop. The projection design has been singled out for its dynamic quality, with images of the athletes creating transitions that recall high-end athletic advertising while propelling the narrative forward.

Both Dominique and Pivetta have received acclaim for their physically and emotionally demanding performances. The actresses convincingly portray elite athletes thanks in part to the guidance of track and field consultant Funmi Daramola, while dialect coach Jeri Marshall helped them master the British accents with authenticity. The production team also includes costume design by Cidney Forkpah, props design by Justin Nepomuceno, and intimacy coaching by Lorraine Ressegger.

At its core, Fair Play examines what it means to be exceptional in a world where identity becomes public property and scrutiny is constant. Ann and Sophie's journey takes them from skeptical rivals to deeply connected friends who serve as each other's advocates and confidants through devastating circumstances. Ann faces systemic racism that threatens her place in the sport, while Sophie confronts health issues that impact her career. The emotional weight of their individual struggles and the strength of their bond form the heart of Road's powerful drama.

The extension provides additional opportunities for audiences to experience this timely work. Fair Play runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm at 1st Stage's theater in Tysons. Tickets range from $15 to $55 and can be purchased online at 1ststage.org or by calling (703) 854-1856. The production contains adult language and mature subject matter.

With its exploration of friendship, competition, and the price of excellence in women's athletics, Fair Play offers a theatrical experience that is both intellectually provocative and emotionally resonant. The extension through November 9 gives more DC-area theater lovers the chance to witness this dynamic production that shines a necessary light on the challenges facing elite female athletes.