by Lucy Kirkwood. Directed by Jonathan Reed
“It’s not fair, it’s not right, it seems wrong. Doesn’t it? Because we built it, didn’t we?”
Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 May and
Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 May at 7.30pm.
Matinées on Saturdays 17 and 24 May at 3pm.
At the Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington
A small, isolated cottage by the sea. An eroding coastline. Blackouts, radiation, and a nuclear exclusion zone. Hazel, Robin, and Rose, reunite after almost 40 years to decide what, if anything, should be done.
In the wake of a nuclear accident in which they all played some part, The Children explores Rose, Hazel, and Robin grappling with the responsibility their generation owes to the next, as a lifetime of resentments, jealousies, and lies are exposed in this gripping, powerful and witty play.
The Children premiered at the Royal Court in 2016 and on Broadway in 2017 to widespread critical acclaim.
Cast
Hazel : Rosanna Preston
Rose : Trudi Dane
Robin : Jon Gilmartin
Production Team
Director : Jonathan Reed
Set Design : Rob Hebblethwaite
Costume Design : Peter Westbury
Lighting Design : Andy Peregrine
Original Music and Sound Design : Stanley Piper
Assistant Director : Emma Cornford
Lighting Operator : Alex Papadopoulos or Matthew Ibbotson
Sound Operator : Jonathan Norris
 The Children is one of Rosanna Preston’s all time favourite plays and she’s thrilled to be a part of this production. This is her ninth role at the Tower Theatre and she has also directed and narrated Tower productions. Elsewhere Rosanna has performed and directed at Theatro Technis, White Bear, Baron’s Court, The Pleasance, Watford Fringe Festival and others. Recently she was an undercover actor for Kit Green’s 1133. Rosanna’s films include the Jamie T music video Between the Rocks and the TV series Psyched (in production). |
 Until recently Trudi Dane was a part-time Admin Administrator at a North London school but now School’s Out (permanently) she’s enjoying her freedom! Trudi has appeared in numerous roles at the Tower, Garden Suburb and Incognito Theatres. These include Mules, playing Bridie, Pam in Just Between Ourselves, Cathy and Katherine in Regina Monologues, Renee in The Odd Couple – Female Version, and Truvy in Steel Magnolias where she had to simultaneously manicure and hairstyle while acting! She has recently played Lady Chomondley in Murder With Ghosts, one of the witches in Macbeth and Daria Chase in The Game’s Afoot. The latter also performed at the Isle of Man Easter Festival in 2023. Trudi is thrilled to be back at the Tower Theatre again, working with a great cast and team. |
 This is Jon Gilmartin‘s third show with the Tower Theatre. His debut as Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing in 2017 was followed in 2018 by playing Charrington in 1984. Jon spent a lot of time working behind Tower’s bar after the move to Stoke Newington, then being co-opted onto the Management Committee and helping to establish the first wave of Tower’s Community Engagement programme. Jon is excited beyond words at being cast as Robin in The Children and finally doing some acting again. |
 This is Jonathan Reed‘s fourth production at the Tower. He was assistant director for Writer’s Room in 2022 and for Old Bridge in 2023. He then directed Seagulls later that year. Jon is an avid fan of improvisation, both performing it and using it in the rehearsal process. Jon directs and performs in ‘Live Wired Comedy Improvisation’ and has performed improvisation across London since 2015, and has learnt from some incredible improvisers from London and Chicago along the way. |