The Lieder Theatre Company Presents “The Children” By Lucy Kirkwood

In a cottage by the 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 disaster. Their world is in chaos, electricity is being rationed and Geiger counters are needed to simply go outside.

While trying to enjoy simple pleasures of yoga and farming, as though nothing has changed, everything shifts when an old friend, Rose, knocks on their door. Something doesn’t feel right as they brace for a truly unpredictable fallout.

The Children depicts three people struggling with environmental issues on a global scale and a close interpersonal level. The moral dilemma at the heart of the story is a far-too-familiar question: “What are we actually doing for future generations?”

Director Chrisjohn Hancock is excited about staging The Children in Goulburn’s Lieder’s foyer theatre space. “Our foyer theatre offers the intimacy and focus that this story deserves. It is an extremely well-written play. The characters try to digest differing opinions about environmental issues, with great humour and wit. Lucy Kirkwood’s storytelling delivers an enormous punch in its own uniquely gentle way. The Children is suitable for everyone. Even our youth theatre actors who are working on this production have been very moved by the themes in The Children, leading to incredible discussions about the future of our world. Everyone can connect to this play.”

The Children premiered in London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2016 to rave reviews and critical acclaim. It was nominated in 2017 for two Tony Awards during its New York run. In 2019, The Guardian placed The Children on a list of the 10 greatest theatrical works since 2000.

Six performances are scheduled:

7:30 pm Friday 2/9, Saturday 3/9, Wednesday 7/9, Friday 9/9, Saturday 10/9, and 2pm matinee on Sunday 4/9.

Limited seating is available in the Lieder’s Foyer Theatre.

Please go to the Lieder Theatre website to book for tickets: https://theliedertheatre.com/the-children

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