SMOKE by Kim Davies is a gripping modern adaptation of August Strindberg’s ground-breaking play, Miss Julie. This sharp and provocative piece makes its London Premiere in an all-new production directed by powerhouse female team Polina Kalinina and Júlia Levai.

The story takes place in early 2010s New York City at a BDSM party. Julie (Meaghan Martin) is a privileged college dropout dipping her toes into the world of BDSM. She meets John (Oli Higginson), a cynical struggling artist willing to act as her guide. Their whirlwind encounter starts as a sexually-charged game of cat and mouse, but as they get to know each other these seemingly self-possessed characters have their boundaries and notions of consent challenged. The consequences are irreparable and unsettling. 

Starring Meaghan Martin (Never Not Once, Park Theatre; Camp Rock; 10 Things I Hate About You) and Oli Higginson (Netflix’s Bridgerton; The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse & West End; LAVA, Soho Theatre).

SMOKE is a piercingly witty and sometimes painful exploration of gender, sexuality and desire. It reminds us that, similar to these imperfect characters, we still have much to learn.

Press on Smoke at Southwark Playhouse:

★★★★★ “Dazzling . . . a complicated, clever and challenging play unafraid to treat its audience as grown-ups.” The Arts Desk

★★★★ “Astonishing . . . Higginson and Martin are delivering two of the most exciting performances on any current London stage.” WhatsOnStage

★★★★ “Unflinching … Thrillingly ingenious.” London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ “Higginson and Martin’s chemistry is electric throughout.” The Artiscape

Press on Smoke‘s 2014 run:

Critics’ Pick of The New York Times & Time Out New York in 2014.

“Intense, provocative, and exceedingly clever.” The New York Times

“A cynical, magnetic miniature about consent.” Time Out New York

“Such an important play . . . unflinching.” New York Theatre Review