Deliver him from evil
Videography by Adam Nightingale
“I’ve met people like you. Young men who’ve lost their way. Who are
desperate for help, for salvation. Who feel like they’re drowning. And I’ve led them out of the dark, just as I’ll lead you”
North-East England, 1983. As a snowstorm rages outside, trainee singer Russell and his mother Maud await the arrival of a young priest, who believes Russell is a victim of possession.
A winner of The RSC’s 37 Plays competition, Radiant Boy is a thrilling new play with music about faith, shame, queerness and finding connection through art, with a soundtrack of traditional songs, North-East folk music and 80s New Wave.
Directed by Júlia Levai (National Theatre, RSC), this eerie, powerful production stars Stuart Thompson (‘Spring Awakening’ (Almeida), ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ (BBC)), Renée Lamb (The Original Cast of ‘Six’ (West End), Wendy Nottingham (‘Peaky Blinders’ (BBC)) and Ben Allen (‘Macbeth’ (Wessex Grove)) It is writer Nancy Netherwood’s professional debut.
★★★★★ “An experience that lingers long after the lights come up” WhatsOnStage
★★★★★ “A masterpiece – a spell-binding drama with a powerfully evocative atmosphere” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Original, neatly crafted chiller” The Stage
★★★★ “Radiant Boy is just that. Radiant.” Everything Theatre
Access Performances
Captioned Performances: Thursday 29 May 7.30pm and Wednesday 11 June 7.30pm
Post-Show Events
All Radiant Boy post-show events are being held after the evening (7.30pm) performance. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance.
Saturday 24 May – Post Show Q&A with the Director, Producer and cast
The team behind Radiant Boy will come together to discuss making new work and the themes of the show and will take your questions on everything from effects, real life hauntings and ghouls to rehearsals, music and more.
Tuesday 27 May – Horror on stage Directing Q&A with Júlia Levai
Radiant Boy Director, Júlia Levai, takes us through what it means to bring horror to the stage. Find out more about her process in the rehearsal room, inspirations and how to keep audiences at the edge of their seats.
Júlia has previously directed and worked as an associate with Southwark Playhouse, National Theatre, RSC, Royal Court and Young Vic as well as being an MGCFutures bursary recipient and was previously ‘Director in Residence’ at the National Theatre in Belgrade. She is a script reader for the NT Studio, Papatango Prize, the Bruntwood Prize and for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting.
Tuesday 3 June – Playwriting Q&A hosted by Simon Stephens
Join us for a post-show chat with Writer Nancy Netherwood discussing her journey writing Radiant Boy and how the play went from page to stage. This will be hosted by award winning playwright Simon Stephens whose work includes West End hit ‘Vanya’ staring Andrew Scott, ‘Seawall’, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ and ‘Punk Rock’.
Details
Theatre: The Little
Mon – Sat: 7.30pm
Tue & Sat: 3pm
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes including interval
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.
The play includes moments of horror involving blood, scenes of emotional distress and coercion, and themes of homophobia and gender dysphoria.
Recommended for ages 15+.
Saturday 24 May – Post Show Q&A with the Director, Producer and cast (held after the 7.30pm performance)
Tuesday 27 May – Horror on stage Directing Q&A with Júlia Levai (held after the 7.30pm performance)
Tuesday 3 June – Playwriting Q&A hosted by Simon Stephens (held after the 7.30pm performance)
Captioned Performances: Thursday 29 May 7.30pm and Wednesday 11 June 7.30pm
photography
production shots
photography by Olivia Spencer
The Company
Stuart Thompson
Russell
Renée Lamb
Steph / The Voice
Ben Allen
Father Miller
