Your First Look
Videography: Daniel Bailey, Black Apron Entertainment
Videography: Toby Mather
“You’ve got these twinkling eyes, all bright and dancey… They will love taking that from you”
Tia has been in care since she was three. She can’t stand her foster mum, and her friends keep letting her down. But when she meets AJ, a charismatic older man, he seems like the answer to all her problems. At first, he is. But AJ has done this before, and after the gifts and compliments come the threats and abuse. When fourteen-year-old Katie moves to town, a chink of light appears in the darkness that’s threatening to swallow Tia.
Firebird is a gripping, unflinching drama about grooming and exploitation, exposing the catastrophic failures of the systems designed to protect children in the UK.
Marlie Haco’s revival combines Davies’ “remarkably potent” text (The Times) with movement and an original score to shine a light on an ongoing national scandal.
A decade on from its highly acclaimed West End transfer from Hampstead Theatre, Firebird returns to the London stage in a striking new production from Double Telling, the team behind the multi-award-winning London premiere of ‘Run Sister Run’ (★★★★★ “a reverse chronological triumph” The Live Review).
★★★★★ “One of the most accomplished pieces of theatre-making currently playing in London… it is a production that demands to be experienced” All That Dazzles
★★★★.5 “Marlie Haco’s direction and Ben Jacobs’ lighting design ensure that each scene is powerful and completely gripping” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Marlie Haco’s revival finds fresh relevance… a chilling study of grooming and coercive control” The Stage
★★★★ “Mollie Milne is extraordinary as Tia… one of the most devastating portrayals of trauma I’ve seen on stage” The Live Review
★★★★★ Theatre To See London | ★★★★ Broadway World | ★★★★ LondonTheatre1 | ★★★★★ Roviews | ★★★★ West End Best Friend | ★★★★★ Theatreland Adventures | ★★★★★ Read About Stuff | ★★★★ Everything Theatre | ★★★★ London Pub Theatres | ★★★★ Theatre Weekly | ★★★★ North West End | ★★★★ Thee Reviewer | ★★★★ The Theatre Gal
Nominated: The Critics Choice Award (London Pub Theatres).
Nominated: For seven Fringe Theatre Awards (production, director, set, lighting, sound, lead performance in a play and newcomer).
Access Performances
Captioned Performance: Thursday 23 July, 7.30pm
Details
Theatre: The Little
Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Tuesday & Saturday: 3pm
Estimated Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
No interval and no re-entry.
We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.
Please be aware that this is a live event so the end time may vary slightly.
Technical Guidance
This production includes flashing lights, strobe, and use of herbal cigarettes.
Content Guidance
This production includes strong language, depictions of blood, violence, gagging, substance abuse, sexism and racism, and references to sexual assault and suicide.
Recommended for ages 16+.
Captioned Performance: Thursday 23 July, 7.30pm
Post Show Events
All Firebird post show events are held after the evening (7.30pm) performance. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance.
Friday 24 July – Post-Show Q&A Discussion regarding Child Sexual Exploitation
A post-show talk on the wider issue of Child Sexual Exploitation with Marlie Haco (Director and Dramaturg) and Double Telling’s charity partners Chris Wild (Lasting Support) and Natalie Johnson (Amour Destine).
Tuesday 28 July – Post-Show Q&A Discussion with the Director and Cast
A post-show talk about the process of making the show with Marlie Haco (Director and Dramaturg) and cast members Mollie Milne, Taqi Nazeer and Kelise Gordon-Harrison.
The Company
Mollie Milne
Tia
Taqi Nazeer
AJ
