The Just Price of Flowers by James Harker

Originated by the highly creative theatre company Stan’s Cafe and written by its Artistic Director, James Harker, The Just Price of Flowers is a play about the financial collapse of 2008, but set in 17 th century Netherlands using the price of tulips as its inspiration.

Tulips were imported into Europe in the early 17 th century when merchants were generating wealth through trade. Exotica was fashionable. A passion for acquiring tulips developed, causing a huge escalation in price and a chance for profit from speculative buying. For a short time tulips were the same price as a house, or three years of a craftsman’s wage……….until the inevitable bubble burst.

Working playfully with this as its theme, viewing the 17 th century through a 21 st century lens, the Van Leasings buy a tulip from Van Eek, using borrowed money from Van Hire. It follows them through the highs and lows of financial trading and explains it all with great wit whilst setting you up for the inevitable crash.

Staged in our Studio theatre; not to be missed.

Staged in arrangement with Stan’s Cafe