A Very Difficult Person

A person with a beard wearing a gray animal costume with a hood resembling a wolf or dog, standing against a green wall. Text on the image reads, 'A modern cautionary fairy tale'.

Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

In 2022, Rhys Williamson bought a house.

When a roofer came to fix a leaky chimney, he was quoted £1,400. A few days later, that quote had become £18,500.

A Very Difficult Person is the true story of what happened next.

Blending dark comedy, autobiography and the language of fairy tales, Rhys retells his encounter with his own Big Bad Wolf and the aftermath that followed. It is a story about trust, shame, self-blame and the uneasy feeling that you should have seen the danger coming.

Because the Big Bad Wolf doesn't always look like a wolf.

Sometimes he wears a hi-vis jacket.

Person wearing a grey hoodie with a cartoon face, leaning forward with hand near face, against a dark background.
A person wearing a plush hoodie with a cartoon face on the hood, sitting against a black background.

“Consistently laugh out loud... this show is absolutely one to watch.”

Culture Matters

“Consistently laugh out loud... this show is absolutely one to watch.”

Culture Matters

Development

A Very Difficult Person was first developed and performed as a work in progress at Camden People’s Theatre’s SPRINT 2026, before continuing its development at Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol as part of Tobacco Factory Writers' Lab Presents.

The show is now being developed towards an Edinburgh Festival Fringe premiere in 2027, with further previews and work-in-progress performances planned throughout 2026/27.

“I really enjoyed watching it, I was thoroughly entertained. I think you're a really engaging storyteller and we were all right there with you throughout.”
Mike Akers, Playwright and Creative Community Officer at Tobacco Factory Theatres

Credits

Written and performed by Rhys Williamson
Design by Michelle Robb
Featuring the voice of John Williamson

With thanks to Georgina Peach, Nate Powell, Lesley Hayes and Vicky Runcie.

Audience responses

  • “A quirky, self deprecating, yet very clever show. The big bad wolf comes in many guises.”

  • “Just because you’re a grownup doesn’t mean you can’t learn something from a fairy tale. Especially if you have its original ending.”

  • “Totally relatable, simple but very effective story telling. Genius comedy moments added to a compelling cautionary tale!”

  • “The script is incisive and Rhys delivers it with such skill and pace; the story weaves self disclosure and angst in the face of a shocking builder scam that is both endearing and hilarious.”

  • “Really compelling to watch. Loved the storytelling & it hooked you in from the start to the end!”

Audience sitting in theater, smiling and laughing during a performance.
A man with a beard and light brown hair wearing a fuzzy, light purple bathrobe, appears to be speaking or explaining something on a stage or in a dark room with a black background.
Person wearing a bear costume with a hood resembling a bear, sitting on a chair on stage, with theatrical props including a small pink house, yellow caution sign, and a yellow sign with a wolf face and exclamation mark.