Wise Children
Wise Children
‘Let’s have all the skeletons out of the closet, today, of all days!’
It’s 23 April, Shakespeare’s birthday.
In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance - twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river – are celebrating their 75th birthday. Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day. As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he’s still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all...
A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak, Wise Children is a celebration of show business, family, forgiveness and hope. Expect show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity - and butterflies by the thousand.
Emma Rice (Romantics Anonymous, Tristan & Yseult, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk and Brief Encounter) brings her unique, exuberantly impish vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel, Wise Children, launching her new theatre company of the same name and its London residency at The Old Vic.
‘melancholy yet joyous and inventive’ ★★★★, Evening Standard
‘spectacular. Inventive, smart and saucy’ ★★★★, The Guardian
‘an explosion of theatrical glee’ ★★★★, The Times
‘Glorious. It’s great to be back on Planet Rice’ ★★★★, Time Out
‘brilliant’ ★★★★, Daily Mail
‘It’s impossible not to be enchanted’ ★★★★, Radio Times
‘one huge love letter to theatre’ ★★★★, The Stage
- Duration
2 hours 10 minutes plus an interval
- Good To Know
You will receive a voucher after purchase. Please print and present on arrival.
The appearance of any particular artist cannot be guaranteed. If in doubt please check with the Box Office before booking.PLEASE NOTE: FOR YOUR COMFORT AND SECURITY, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHECKS ON YOUR VISIT TO LONDON THEATRES – WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING WHILE THESE ARE TAKING PLACE.
- Seat Selection Info
Recommend age: 14+ (some sexual content, swearing and adult themes throughout)
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No exchanges or refunds
- Suitable For Children
Suitable for ages 14+ (some sexual content, swearing and adult themes throughout)
Reviews
Hannah Jane
Nov 11, 2018
Wise Children was inventive, fun, exhilarating and thought provoking.
Annie
Nov 11, 2018
Beautifully staged and acted, full of life, funny & moving. Great.
Anon
Nov 9, 2018
Very slapstick and cornball humour throughout most of it. Very cliched... sorry, couldnt get into it at all. Very disappointing. Left theatre at intermission
Stephen Crawford
Nov 8, 2018
I didn't know what to expect. I had never read the book and my partner, who had read it, suggested the stage show could be good. It was! We both enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining and creatively astounding experience. The entire event was quite wonderful! Top marks!!
Sue England
Nov 6, 2018
Fabulous show from beginning to end. SEE IT!!
Renee
Nov 5, 2018
Well paced entertaining delightfully cast theatre.
SarahW
Nov 4, 2018
A great experience
Janet
Nov 1, 2018
I so enjoyed this play! I'm not a fan of musicals generally, but did enjoy this, it was well sung, good music, and very very funny. I don't know the book (will go and read it!) but thought it managed to get a clear message over in an entertaining and enjoyable way, - I think all who worked on this play should be congratulated. Thank you.
Robin
Nov 1, 2018
Music hall to Bill Shakespeare, song and dance, lots of subversion and outstanding performances Reminded me of early days of Joan Littlewood
Annie E
Oct 30, 2018
First half was great. Enjoyable, intriguing, clever, full of fun. Great songs and music. Second half less strong. Such a brilliant effort put in by a great cast. But everything seemed drawn out and all rather ran out of steam. And became over-sentimental. Bit disappointing. Wished we'd left at interval with a positive feeling! Can't fault the fab cast and musicians though.
Julia Kevern
Oct 29, 2018
This was heaven from the outset. A real celebration of theatre and London. Fabulous ensemble company. Will go again in Bristol.
simon
Oct 28, 2018
very entertaining, great production , wonderful cast . catch it while you can .
Anne L
Oct 26, 2018
Brilliant production. Great dancing, singing and script. Story line introduces a serious message but presented well. Estastic audience when we went with three loud encores! Thoroughly recommend.
Catherine
Oct 26, 2018
Really enjoyed the play. Very different from what I would normally go to but it had great acrobatics, singing and humour. It was really funny.
Annie (Suffolk)
Oct 25, 2018
Lively, slick and great fun we really enjoyed the performance.
Karen - East London
Oct 25, 2018
This is Emma Rice doing what she does best, story telling for adults with a touch of sparkle and smut for good measure. Whilst the translation of the book to the stage misses the depth and richness of Angela Carter's woven tapestry of tales, this taste of her narratives is beautifully done. We wanted more dancing which was spectacular and less daftness which can irritating at times, but there were moments in which the true meaning of theatre took us into the realms of the imagination and we became truly lost in the sheer emotional landscape of the story. Highlights are the older twins played movingly by the male lead whose tender reflections on the past took this performance to true heights. The Lucky Chances played by male and female leads were stunning, their performance brought joy, human emotion and the sheer pleasure of singing and dancing to life. The end song, performed by the whole cast and sung beautifully by one of the younger twins was a sheer delight and perfect ending to this delightful performance. Too many 'devices' spoiled it but only slighty - strip it back Emma and rely on the exuberance and brilliance of your young team and you will entertain new generations for years to come....
Yu Suzuki
Oct 25, 2018
It is an exceptionally moving play Felt that the director deeply understood what Angela Carter, the author of the novel wanted to convey. While delineating harsh life, reality beastly side of human nature, the play is full of fun with a lot jokes and dance. Fantastic, well done. Yu Suzuki
Cristina
Oct 24, 2018
Hilarious and wonderful
Katie R
Oct 19, 2018
True to the essence of Carter whilst bringing true joy and sadness. An outrageous romp!
Chris Savage King
Oct 19, 2018
Really excellent production Music especially appealing and unexpected Well-staged Faithful to original work but ably adapted for stage A POV very rarely seen in British theatre
L.L.
Oct 16, 2018
Hugely enjoyable show from a very talented ensemble cast. A very innovative interpretation by Emma Rice, as good as her recent Brief Encounter.
Dawn Hopkins
Oct 11, 2018
The set is a visual feast and the acting so engaging