The Children's Hour
Keira Knightley & Elizabeth Moss star in Lillian Hellman's visionary masterpiece about the power of a lie.
The Children's Hour
Keira Knightley & Elizabeth Moss star in Lillian Hellman's visionary masterpiece about the power of a lie.
The Children's Hour
Keira Knightley & Elizabeth Moss star in Lillian Hellman's visionary masterpiece about the power of a lie.
Why see The Children's Hour?
When a schoolgirl's whisper spreads it triggers a chain of events with extraordinary consequences. Karen Wright (Keira Knightley) and Martha Dobie (Elisabeth Moss) run a girls' boarding school in 1930's New England, where they become entangled in a devastating story of deceit, shame and courage.
Banned in London and several cities across America, The Children's Hour received its world premiere on Broadway in 1934. Generations on, its potent exploration of a culture of fear remains startlingly relevant.
Fresh from the theatrical triumph of Jerusalem, Ian Rickson directs two internationally acclaimed actresses and a dynamic ensemble in one of the 20th century's most compelling dramas. Unmissable.
Key Information
Audience
The Children's Hour is suitable for audiences aged 12 and over.
Run Time
Two hours and 30 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.
Dates
Finished 7 May 2011
Cast
Keira Knightley as Karen Wright
Elizabeth Moss as Martha Dobie
Tobias Menzies as Doctor Joseph Cardin
Ellen Burstyn as Amelia Tilford
Carol Kane as Lily Mortar
Bryony Hannah as Mary Tilford
Nancy Crane as Agatha
Amy Dawson as Rosalie Wells
Isabel Ellison as Catherine
Elizabeth Moss as Martha Dobie
Tobias Menzies as Doctor Joseph Cardin
Ellen Burstyn as Amelia Tilford
Carol Kane as Lily Mortar
Bryony Hannah as Mary Tilford
Nancy Crane as Agatha
Amy Dawson as Rosalie Wells
Isabel Ellison as Catherine
Creative
Author: Lillian Hellman
Director: Ian Rickson
Designer: Mark Thompson
Lighting: Neil Austin
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Sound: Paul Groothuis
Director: Ian Rickson
Designer: Mark Thompson
Lighting: Neil Austin
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Sound: Paul Groothuis
Reviews
Customer reviews
16 reviews, average rating: (4.6 Stars)
Ivana Smokovic
Out of this World
The script was amazing
The cast was perfect
The story was touching and deeply moving
The delivery and the acting went beyond anything I could have
expected, with simply remarkable and mesmerising performances
from the entire cast. But it has to be said that, for me at least, the
leads, Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss surely stole the show with
their incredible performances. Both were overwhelming with their
power and emotion, and Knightley's beautiful portrayal of Karen in
particular moved me to tears.
A showcase, it seems, of the best of acting, that everyone should go
and see before it's too late.
Breathtakingly stunning.
I'm honoured to have been able to witness such a beautiful show, a
show that I will never forget, and will dream of seeing again. There
are no words that would do this play justice. The best I can do is
"out of this world."
If you want acting at its best, this is the show for you. Moss and
Knightley are brilliantly, mesmerisingly perfect. ... Read more
John
Perfection
The play *****
The acting *****
The direction, design, light and sound *****
Worth EVERY penny.
Theatre doesn't get better than this! ... Read more
Mike
Amazing
I went with very high expectations, and I was not
disappointed. The acting was of a very high standard and the
play was relevant. It's refreshing to see something which
discusses social issues instead of tourist filled musicals. A
few people are complaining, calling it 'dull' but that's how the
play was written and is intended to be performed. Keira,
Elisabeth and Ms Burstyn gave stellar performances. The
production was flawless. ... Read more
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