★★★★★
“Brilliant buffoonery”
The Telegraph
★★★★
“A gloriously fizzy cocktail of slapstick, physical theatre and silliness”
The Guardian
"I have a message. A struggle, a mission. Something deep in my guts, a message to share with humanity."
The water is rising. The world outside is crumbling. Alone in a room, an old man and an old woman set out chairs ready for the arrival of a very special audience.
They’ve invited everyone. The dancers, the chancers, the editors, the creditors, the picketers, the hecklers, the Leavers, the Remainers, the Remoaners. Even the bankers. All the movers and shakers are gathering to hear the old man’s final message to humanity. But will the message ever be delivered?
Translated and directed by Omar Elerian (Misty), this “very silly and very funny” (Time Out) new version of Eugène Ionesco’s tragic farce reflects on a life lived together: on what has been, what might have been, and what it all really means.
The cast features, Olivier Award-winner Kathryn Hunter, "one of the greatest stage actors alive" (Vanity Fair), Marcello Magni, co-founder of pioneering theatre company Complicité, and Olivier Award-winning choreographer and performer Toby Sedgwick.
Sat 5 Feb – Sat 5 Mar
Evenings 7.30pm
Matinees 2.30pm
Sat 5 – Wed 9 Feb £10 - £35
Fri 11 – Sat 5 Mar £10 - £48.50
(Prices vary per performance)
Captioned performance Thu 24 Feb 7.30pm
Book by calling Box Office on 020 7359 4404. £5 Captioned tickets available to those aged 25 and under from 5pm on Fri 14 Jan.
Audio Described performance Sat 26 Feb 2.30pm (Touch Tour 12.45pm)
Book by calling Box Office on 020 7359 4404. £5 Audio Described tickets available to those aged 25 and under from 5pm on Fri 14 Jan.
Relaxed Environment performance Wed 23 Feb 2.30pm
This performance is for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed audience environment when seeing a production. More info.
Talkback After Thu 24 Feb performance
A captioned post-show talk with members of the company. Free to same-day ticket holders.
Almeida For Free Thu 17 Feb 7.30pm
A free performance exclusively for those aged 25 and under. More info.
Concessions
All concession tickets are limited and subject to availability. Proof of eligibility is required. Concessions in the final week of performances are only valid for D/deaf and disabled bookings. More info
Access
D/deaf and disabled patrons and a companion can buy tickets for £25 for all performances by calling the Box Office on 020 7359 4404.
25 & Under
£5 tickets will be available to those aged 25 and under for performances from Sat 5 – Wed 9 Feb & Fri 11 Feb. Enter code 25UNDER when selecting your seats. More info
Under 30s
If you are aged 30 or under, you can book second-price-band tickets for £15 on Mon-Thu performances and Sat matinees.
Students, Over 65s & Unemployed
Book second-price-band tickets for £25 on all performances except Fri & Sat evenings. This concession is also for top-price tickets on matinee performances.
Islington First
If you live or work in the Islington area you can book best available seats for £25 for performances on 5 - 11 Feb, subject to availability. Enter promo code ISFIRST when selecting your seats. Find applicable postcodes here.
NHS and Blue Light Card holders
Use code BLUELIGHT when selecting your seats to book second-price-band tickets for £25 on Mon-Thu evenings, and top-price tickets on Wed & Sat matinees for £25. Limited to 2 tickets per person.
Running time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no interval. Find out more about our running times here.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Please note this production includes the depiction of a suicide as well as the use of haze and smoke. Read more about our production guidance and warnings, or contact Box Office if you have specific concerns.
Writer Eugène Ionesco
Translator Omar Elerian
Director Omar Elerian
Co-Designer Cécile Trémolières
Co-Designer Naomi Kuyck-Cohen
Lighting Designer Jackie Shemesh
Co-Sound Designer Elena Peña
Co-Sound Designer Pete Malkin
Wigs, Hair and Makeup Co-Designer Suzanne Scotcher
Voice Coach Michaela Kennen
Assistant Director Nastazja Domaradzka
Magic Consultant Patrick Ashe
Cast
Kathryn Hunter
Marcello Magni
Toby Sedgwick
Artwork photography by David Stewart. Concept by Émilie Chen.