Dragon Interview: Robin Simpson on “The Last Picture” at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 2 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 1 Mar, 2026

By Isabelle Trubshaw

The Holocaust is perhaps the epitome of man’s inhumanity to man. It happened less than a century ago, so there is no excuse that they did not know better then.

This is the subject matter of Catherine Dyson’s brand-new play, The Last Picture in which actor and storyteller, Robin Simpson, stars in his debut role at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre – a one-man performance that “tests the limits of theatre” – The Guardian.

Selected from over 2,000 entries for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘37 Plays’ playwriting project for new plays in 2023, Dyson’s play explores themes of empathy and hope through the perspective of an emotional support dog “Sam”.

As Sam, Robin, known for his roles in Coronation Street, Holby City and Home Fires, takes the audience on a year 9 school trip to a Holocaust photography exhibition, relying on the audience’s imagination to confront gruelling chapters of history.

Listen to Isabelle Trubshaw’s lively interview with Robin, as he discusses the challenges of his solo role, the ins-and-out of production, and the ingenuity of Dyson’s writing.