Synopsis: War Bride of Mormon County is the tale of an underdog, outsider mother fighting to save her daughter, and ultimately herself, from an abusive patriarchy and community where alternate facts are a way of life. Trudy Thompson’s seemingly bucolic life explodes when her seven-year-old daughter, Eliza, reveals a devastating secret.

Trudy is a convert to the Mormon religion and immigrant to rural Utah, USA, circa 1980s. She is from Manchester, England, where she met a Mormon missionary who became her husband. Trudy now lives among his ultra-devout Mormon family, where she is decidedly an outsider. Not only must she fight to save her daughter, but also her marriage and her very self in an environment where everyone around her suddenly seems willing and able to bend the truth and find alternative facts.

Inspired by actual events, War Bride of Mormon County is a driving, intense drama that has the audience rooting for Trudy from the get-go. It’s a story and topic that continue to ring loud and clear today. The audience is similar to those who appreciate Doubt, How I Learned to Drive, and TV’s Handmaid’s Tale. It’s also for the broad, curious audience who are attracted by the behind-the-scenes lives of Mormons, which includes viewers of the recent hit Hugh Grant film Heretic, TV’s Big Love and Under the Banner of Heaven, and even the musical The Book of Mormon.

This play sits at the crossroads of the immigrant ethos: is someplace else the land of milk and honey? It also opens questions around patriarchal infallibility and religious freedom—God told me to do it, so it's not a crime, which in today’s environment are as relevant as ever. The piece challenges perceptions--especially related to one of the world’s most curiosity-inducing religious sects. But ultimately it is a story of an accidental hero: a woman who rises to the occasion, responding radically to her unexpected situation.

Cast size: seven adults. Composition: three adult females, one of whom must be able to speak in a Mancunian (Manchester, England) accent; one of whom is Latina and should be able to use a slight Mexican-Spanish accent, and one standard American. Four adult males, all speaking standard American.

Production considerations: 100~ minute straight-through run (no intermission/interval) Set—minimal elements of a 1980s American kitchen—fridge, table, countertop, 2 doorways, which can be slightly altered to suggest a second kitchen. Additional setting: a hospital bed and corridor (can be minimal and play in front or to side of main set).

CONTENT WARNINGS: for those who have specific concerns or sensitivities prior to seeing a performance containing challenging themes, scroll to the bottom of this page. Note that some theatre-goers may see these revelations as “spoilers,” thus we offer this caveat to those who need the warnings, as well as those who feel they do not.

Development History

November 2024: Workshop and Industry Reading (equiv. NYC 29-hour reading), HOME, Manchester, England; all-equity. Directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder. Cast:

• Lauren Nicole Mayes as Trudy Thompson
  A young Mancunian wife and mother living in rural Utah, USA

• Lucas Cheong Smith as Ammon Thompson
  Trudy’s husband

• Russell Richardson as Ezekiel Thompson
  Ammon’s father, and a vaunted Mormon community elder

• Samantha Siddall as Ruth Thompson
  Ammon’s older and only sister

• Paddy Stafford as Jared Thompson 
  Ammon’s younger brother

• Chris Hoyle as Nephi Thompson
  Ammon’s older brother

• Afrika Fuentes as Maria Guerra
  A local

March 2024: non-equity staged reading, Hart Theatre Co., Salt Lake City, UT

2023: Semi-finalist, TRU Voices new play competition.

2021-2023 Various online/invited audience readings.

Spring 2021 Initial writing

Reactions to WAR BRIDE OF MORMON COUNTY

 “Randall Huskinson's War Bride of Mormon County characters are real, his plotting surprising, and his dialogue clear and concise, similar to the writing of John Patrick Shanley in his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt. Few playwrights can convincingly tackle the issues Huskinson addresses, let alone set it so authentically into one of America’s fringe religious communities, yet Huskinson succeeds by courageously writing this play with incredible specificity, honesty, and great compassion.” Ken Wolf, Artistic Director, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, New York.

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“An important and gripping work. It is not a comfortable play to witness. There were many moments when I wanted run out of the room! That’s a pretty good indicator that Randall Huskinson has written a powerful and truthful piece.” Michael Wright, theatre educator, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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“Gripping and unforgiving in its honesty. (Huskinson) brings a fresh and unique perspective that is very much needed for today’s divisive times.”
Melvina Douse-Manuel, Playwright/Self-Producing Artist, New York.

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“War Bride of Mormon County tackles a dark family secret, shining a light on a collective tragedy hidden in plain sight…this play paints a disturbing portrait of the rationalization required to preserve denial.” Lisa Kent, essayist/columnist, Columbia, MO.

CONTENT WARNINGS: “War Bride of Mormon County” is a work of fiction, inspired by actual events, problems and situations existing not only within Mormon communities, but almost every religious community on earth, as well as schools, and other settings where children are in vulnerable situations. The play includes themes of child abuse, patriarchal overreach and religious justification which some viewers may find disturbing or triggering.