The Children
The Children
"At our time of life, we simply cannot deal with this shit.”
Two retired nuclear scientists in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles.
Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request.
“Do you want to call your children?”
“Why?”
“To let them know your plans.”
The Children is the recipient of a Berwin Lee New Play Commission.
- Good To Know
*Please note there is a strict no latecomers policy for this production*
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE
Tue 10 Jan, 7:30pm
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Sat 14 Jan, 2:30pm
- News
'Raises profound questions about whether having children sharpens, or diminishes, one’s sense of social responsibility.' - Michael Billington – The Guardian
'Lucy Kirkwood is the most rewarding dramatist of her generation.' - Paul Taylor – Independent
'A witty, provocative play that raises vital questions about social responsibility.' - Natasha Tripney – The Stage
‘It has a pressing, provocative question at its heart – about the responsibility of the older generation towards the young.' - Dominic Cavendish – The Telegraph
'The Children remains tantalisingly hard to define: it is about age, responsibility, and a reckoning, of sorts. It is a love triangle. It is a young playwright writing inquisitively about her parents’ generation. It is very English, somewhat menacing, and often funny.' - Andrzej Lukowski – TimeOut
'It’s very astonishing in such a young playwright that she understands not the old as a demographic, but individuals who are old and I think that’s one of the triumphs of the play.' - Andrea Rose – BBC Saturday Review
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive an email confirmation after purchase. Please present on arrival.
- Where Do I Go
The Royal Court is directly adjacent to Sloane Square Underground Station.
Sloane Square is served by the District and Circle lines.
The Royal Court is also a short walk from Victoria station.
Critic Reviews
The Stage
Dec 1, 2016
Witty, provocative and accusatory play that raises vital questions about social responsibility
The Telegraph
Dec 1, 2016
The Children is Fukushima meets The Archers, and it's marvellous
Broadway World
Dec 1, 2016
It should be required viewing for all baby boomers
Time Out
Dec 1, 2016
"A big part of the brilliance of Kirkwood’s play is how the nuclear scenario only half matters"
Reviews
lesley angell
Jan 14, 2017
We thought the performance was spell-binding. The author managed to combine a human story including complex elements with a much bigger story of world wide significance. And also manged to inject humour at times. It was well acted to a capacity audience. Thanks.
SFields
Jan 13, 2017
Excellent acting but play was too long to sustain flow - at least 20 minutes !
Once a week theatre goer
Dec 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this show, having gone along with no real expectations. The cast give engaging and totally believable performances, and the issues explored are fascinating. Script is very lean - no filler - and suprisingly funny. As a very regular theatre goer, I don't often give high marks - but I would say 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Olivia Pinkney
Dec 29, 2016
The characters were all well developed and had great tension! A very satisfying performance!
Sheila
Dec 23, 2016
What a play! Do go to see it!
MicSum
Dec 21, 2016
A beautiful, poignant piece by Lucy Kirkwood on the baby boomer generation and their hopes, fears and frailties
Maria from Pinner
Dec 18, 2016
Dark, tragicomedy. It addresses great deal of societal issues; life and death, old and young, greed and responsibility, morality and amorality. A definite hit. I have recommended it to my friends unreservedly.
MaryinManhattan
Dec 17, 2016
This is a subtle but highly suspenseful production concerning many difficult aspects of contemporary life: aging, monogamy, and least of all, nuclear waste. Spectacular performances all around. I would like to see it again.
the guy who forgot to leave his overcoat in the cloakroom
Dec 16, 2016
The Children imposes conventional dramatic themes -- self sacrifice, romantic fidelity, parental duty and more -- in a semi-post apocalyptic setting, and thereby creates a fairly chilling and thought provoking atmosphere: perhaps life will really go on, with all its petty preoccupations, after we do something really stupid to ourselves and our environment. It takes some time to accommodate dimensions of this spooky message, partly because the actors come off as fairly likable characters -- and the belated effect of the drama adds some power. Perhaps not a top-tier drama, but quite well written and reasonably gripping, with good performances from the three person cast. If there is an evolving post-apocalyptic sub-genre, and it seems that there is, this will be remembered as a ground-breaking drama because of its relative simplicity of set and dramatic situation, and the excellent way the plot evolves with lively dialogue and characterization. Well worth the effort to see.
Janet Monsell
Dec 14, 2016
Brilliant writing and sparkling, witty but moving performances. Witty but also profound
Sioban
Dec 14, 2016
What an extraordinary production. I see a LOT of theatre and rarely ever find something as refreshing as this. Intensely satisfying on so many levels: well observed characters who speak to anyone who has ever lived and loved and known what it is to be human and therefore, flawed. A play that set up a debate about what it is to be human on a very simple and fundamental level. This is not a pretentious play and yet it is profound. Wonderful performances and a great production. We left and decided that we needed to talk about it ...and I am still talking/ thinking about it...whaddya' know, I'm writing a review of it!
michael joseph duke
Dec 12, 2016
The positive Observer Review was what prompted us to see the Children. We were so disappointed having come from North wales. Unimaginative staging and quite static performances from the cast. So little passion and energy for subject matter that promised so much potential.
Doug
Dec 10, 2016
Great acting. Slightly quirky play but very enjoyable. Lots of laughter but also some sections which were very thought provoking.