The Presentation by Roger Goldsmith is based on the authors personal experience, where he lost his job when he stammered during a presentation.

Single Dad Tom Lancaster, played by Paul Andrew Goldsmith (no relation to the author), finds himself unemployed after he badly stammers during an important presentation at work. Tom is head of an engineering department in the oil and gas industry during the 1980s.

Added to this, his wife hasn’t long left him for a man she met at the gym, and his mother has recently died. Life just keeps on kicking him down. It is unfair as Tom is a decent, hard-working, and caring man who deserves a break.

Riddled with shame and embarrassment, he tries to hide his situation from his 17 year old son, Billy, played by Finn O’Toole. Whose respect and love for his Dad doesn’t let him give up on himself or his future. While he is finding his own way dealing with his Mums new boyfriend Vincent, college and a new romance.

The play explores how big an impact stammering can have and the devastating effects it causes on a family and work life. Communication is the key to getting on in life, but so is care and understanding. He doesn’t deserve how he gets treated.

Director Peter McCrohan captures the relationship between Father and Son with respect and warmth. It’s refreshing to see a play featuring a single Dad who’s trying to rebuild his life while overcoming embarrassment and shame for something that’s not his fault.

The twist at the end of the play is superb, and I hadn’t seen it coming either. Sorry, no spoilers from me about what happens.

For more information about The Presentation and other events at The Barn Studio Theatre, please use the link below.

Four Stars.

https://book.events/thepresentation/2026-10-03/46847

https://www.rogergoldsmith.com/

The play has been supported by the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering and STAMMA UK.