Lavender Ashes debuts to sold-out audiences at the Burton Taylor Studio

Exeter College students were at the heart of a successful new production at Oxford’s Burton Taylor Studio this term. Written by Jumoke Sosan (2023, Medicine) and co-directed by her as part of the debut production from Highlight Productions, Lavender Ashes enjoyed a highly successful run, selling out four of its five performances and attracting strong praise from audiences and reviewers alike. 

A contemporary drama exploring themes of love, faith, and identity, Lavender Ashes follows Rose, a high-achieving university student whose relationship is thrown into crisis when her secret is exposed to her religious family. Spanning a turbulent birthday celebration and a poignant reunion five years later, the play examines the cost of silence, the pressures of expectation, and the courage required to live authentically. 

The production also featured significant Exeter involvement beyond its creator. Julia Stacey (2025, Modern Languages and Linguistics) appeared in the role of Pinki, while Ella Downham (2023, Medicine) served as producer, helping to bring the ambitious project from script to stage. 

Reviewing the production, critic Arshya Bommaraju praised Lavender Ashes for its emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of identity, describing it as a play that “resists the temptation of resolution” and leaves audiences reflecting on the difficult choices faced by its characters. Particular praise was given to the strength of the ensemble cast and the authenticity of the friendships portrayed on stage. 

As the debut production of Highlight Productions, Lavender Ashes represents an impressive achievement for Jumoke and her team. Bringing an original script from page to stage is no small feat, and the production’s strong audience reception is testament to the creativity, ambition, and dedication of everyone involved. 

Congratulations to Jumoke, Julia, Ella, and the entire company on a thoughtful and moving production.