Overview
“The hope is what matters”.
Years after the apocalypse, Ashton and Reece survive in a bunker on the edge of an imaginary city. Searching for hope, they spend their days acting out stories from the before times. When a stranger appears, is he here to save them? Or is he telling a tale too good to be true?
The staggering new play from Tony and Olivier award winning Simon Stephens is part thriller, part excavation of the soul. Rex Ryan directs this UK premiere.
People
Ross Gaynor
Ashton
Ashton
Ross’ work in theatre includes appearing with all of Ireland’s foremost companies (Abbey Theatre, Gate Theatre, Rough Magic etc). He is known for his roles in seminal Irish films such as King Frankie and TV such as Normal People. He is one of Ireland’s leading voice over artists. He is also known for his work as a director, directing two premieres of Simon Stephens’ plays.
Fionn Ó Loingsigh
Presley
Presley
Fionn is an actor and writer from Dublin. Recently on stage, he has appeared inThree Sisters (Sugarglass), Conversations After Sex (THISISPOPBABY/Irish Arts Center, NYC), The Last Return (Druid Theatre), Portia Coughlan (Abbey Theatre), and The Plough and the Stars (National Theatre). He has been seen on screen in What Richard Did, Cardboard Gangsters, Out of Here, Tin Star (Sky Atlantic), and Trigonometry (BBC).
Ian Toner
Reece
Reece
Ian is an award winning actor and writer, and a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting. He has worked in the Abbey, Gate and Lyric theatres, and with companies like Fishamble and Rough Magic. Notable film and television credits include Catch 22 (Hulu), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Furthur Films) and Aisha (Sky/Subotica). Upcoming projects include the Werner Herzog film Bucking Fastard and Viking epic Bloodaxe (Amazon).
Simon Stephens
Writer
Writer
Rex Ryan
Director
Director
Migle Ryan
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Jess Fitzsimons Kane
Lighting Designer
Lighting Designer
Laurel Marks
Production Manager
Production Manager
Summer Keeling
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Media
“Gripping”
Financial Times
“A richly atmospheric thriller”
Theatre Weekly
“Simon Stephens is a master of his craft”
Morning Star
“Absolutely remarkable”
All That Dazzles
“An intriguing exploration of human nature”
The Live Review
“This could not be a more timely play”
London Pub Theatres
“Engrossing”
View from the Gods
“This dystopian double act is a play for our times”
The Times
“Intelligently performed”
The Guardian
“Timely”
The Arts Desk
“Impeccable pace”
Broadway World
“Poignant”
The Stage
“A startlingly intimate affair”
Time Out
“In Simon Stephens’s astonishing new play, hope is a bleak experiment”
The Irish Times
Tickets
20 August -
26 September 2026
26 September 2026
Monday to Saturday
7.30pm
Tuesday, Saturday
3.00pm
Running time: 135 minutes.