Nottingham Playhouse reveals cast for Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children

Nottingham Playhouse has announced the cast for the upcoming production of Lucy Kirkwood’s acclaimed thriller The Children.

Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the play runs at the venue from 23 March – 6 April 2024.

This three-hander stars Sally Dexter (Emmerdale, ITV; Viva Forever!, Piccadilly Theatre) as Rose, Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost, ITV; Middlemarch, BBC; The Sweet Science of Bruising, Southwark Playhouse) as Hazel and Clive Mantle (Casualty and Holby City, BBC: A Streetcar Named Desire, Crucible Sheffield; Robin of Sherwood, ITV) as Robin.

The Children is an intimate yet epic portrayal of relationships set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world. The play delves into the lives of Hazel and Robin, retired nuclear physicists living on the east coast. The arrival of their old friend Rose and her shocking proposal brings a threat to their peaceful existence, sparking a narrative that explores the impact of life choices on each other and future generations.

Kirsty Patrick Ward commented: “I am overjoyed with the incredible cast we have brought together for Lucy Kirkwood’s pertinent, insightful and deeply moving play. To have three such formidable talents engaged on a play of this calibre is every director’s dream, and I cannot wait to see what we will find in the rehearsal room when exploring Lucy’s stirring text.

“The Children feels more relevant than ever, and with such a company now assembled, we hope and will endeavour to bring something truly special to the mighty Nottingham Playhouse stage.”

The production is set to be produced in accordance with Theatre Green Book standards, emphasising sustainable practices in theatre production. Fifty percent of the materials used will have had a previous life, and sixty-five percent will be reused or recycled after the show. Complementing this commitment to sustainability, the Nottingham Playhouse will host the Sustainable Productions Summit on Thursday 4 April, aiming to share knowledge and promote sustainable practices in the theatre industry.

For more information and tickets, visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk