The Children
29 Mar - 19 May 2018
Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
The Play
★★★★ Time Out Melbourne | ★★★★ Herald Sun
★★★★ Daily Review | ★★★★ The Music
Sydney Theatre Company and Colonial First State Global Asset Management present
A Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company production
THE CHILDREN
By Lucy Kirkwood
Australian premiere
How will we act, now, when the world seems to be ending?
Three of Australia’s most beloved and revered actors join forces in a provocative new drama. Experience the incomparable Pamela Rabe, Sarah Peirse and William Zappa in this “powerful play that makes you reflect on big questions" (The Age).
The Children has been an enormous hit on London and New York stages, engrossing audiences and attracting immense critical acclaim. Playwright Lucy Kirkwood is one of the world’s most exciting young playwrights, heralded as “the most rewarding dramatist of her generation” (The Independent, UK). This beautifully written play tackles timely themes of social responsibility inside an intriguing tale of old friends who face a frightening proposition.
In an idyllic cottage on the British coast, two retired nuclear scientists, Hazel and Robin, are enjoying the quiet life. Nearby, a nuclear power plant has been torn apart by a Fukushima-like natural disaster. Electricity is being rationed, you need a Geiger counter to go outside. The world is in chaos.
Hazel and Robin are trying to go about their life of yoga and farming as though nothing has changed. But everything shifts when an old friend, Rose, knocks on their door. Something doesn’t feel right… the fallout will be unpredictable.
The Children introduces us to this trio of characters in a witty and touching story that rumbles with big questions about how we live. What responsibility do we have for this planet? What do we want to leave behind for our children?
Directed by Sarah Goodes (Disgraced) and designed by STC Resident Designer Elizabeth Gadsby (Cloud Nine), this brilliant night out at Sydney Opera House brings together “three fine actors, one clever set and a whip-smart script” (The Daily Telegraph).
“Retired people are like nuclear power stations. We like to live by the sea.”
“At our time of life we simply cannot deal with this shit.”
Duration 2hrs (no interval)
Content warning Coarse language, mild sexual references, the use of complete blackout in theatre and herbal cigarettes.
Ticket information
2018 Season Tickets (packs of 6 or more plays)
Save at least 20% on full price single tickets, access the best available seats and get a lot of exclusive benefits all year. More info and bookings.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $86
Adult A Reserve $82
Concession $65
Seniors cardholder $74
Preview $64
Under 30 $64
Single tickets
Single ticket prices
Saturday evening $108
Adult $103
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $81
Preview $81
Group bookings (10+ people) $87
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings (packs of 6 or more plays): no fees
Single ticket bookings: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter
Dates & Prices
Dates
Previews 29 Mar 2018 – 2 Apr 2018
Season 4 Apr 2018 – 19 May 2018
Performance start times
Preview performances 8pm
In-season evening performances Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 8pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm
Duration 2hrs (no interval)
Pricing and ticket information
2018 Season Tickets (packs of 6 or more plays)
Save at least 20% on full price single tickets, access the best available seats and get a lot of exclusive benefits all year. More info and bookings.
Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $86
Adult A Reserve $82
Concession $65
Seniors cardholder $74
Preview $64
Under 30 $64
Single tickets
Single ticket prices
Saturday evening $108
Adult $103
Seniors cardholder $93
Concession $82
Under 30 $81
Preview $81
Group bookings (10+ people) $87
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event are Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Opera House. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info
Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings (packs of 6 or more plays): no fees
Single ticket bookings: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter
Concession, seniors and under 30 tickets
Suitable and valid identification must be provided for collection of tickets and at the venue, such as your concession or proof of age card. Alternatively, you may email a copy of your identification to [email protected]. Please quote your booking reference number.
Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.
Access Performances
Captioned performances
Wed 2 May 1pm
Fri 18 May 8pm
Audio described performance
Sat 19 May 2pm
Auslan interpreted performance
Thu 17 May 8pm
Creatives
Director Sarah Goodes
Designer Elizabeth Gadsby
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer & Sound Designer Steve Francis
With
Sarah Peirse, Pamela Rabe, William Zappa
Marketing image Rene Vaile
Production photos Jeff Busby
This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team. Ensure you have the most up-to-date information about each play by opting in to our enewsletter.
Reviews
Audiences are delighted with this beautifully drawn drama...
The reviews are in for our co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company
“These are delicious roles, and director Sarah Goodes has cast them shrewdly.” ★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald
“Three fine actors, one clever set and a whip-smart script” The Daily Telegraph
“Brilliant performances” The Daily Telegraph
“Sarah Goodes directs the play with the respect and nurture it deserves.” Stage Whispers
“From inside their tiny cottage, Rabe, Peirse and Zappa paint a vivid world outside its walls, a world – not so distant from ours – in which sacrifices must be made.” ★★★★ Limelight
“director Sarah Goodes adroitly balances the comedy and horror in the play.” Australian Book Review
“It’s engrossing, disturbing, funny and nightmarish. Recommended!” Stage Noise
“A female playwright tackling globally significant issues, directed by one of the country’s most exciting directors, is by definition something worth seeing.” ★★★★Time Out Melbourne
"Three of Australia's finest actors" ★★★★ Herald Sun
"This powerful play makes you reflect on big questions" The Age
"The cast are stellar... a tremendously funny work." ★★★★ Daily Review
"These hefty themes are buoyed by wit, humour and beautifully observed characterisations" ★★★★ The Music
reviews
INSIGHT EVENTS
We offer a range of free and ticketed events designed to give you further insight into our plays. Find out more about our Insight Events.
Pre-season Briefing
Mon 26 Mar 7pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE.
Night with the Actors
Mon 16 Apr post-show
Mon 14 May post-show
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