Writer and Director Stephen Unwin (All Our Children, Farm Hall) returns to Jermyn Street Theatre with extraordinary new drama Laughing Boy.
Sara Ryan’s book about justice for her son, who died in an NHS unit aged 18, has been turned into a critically acclaimed new play.
Both personal and political, Sara Ryan’s impassioned, frank, and surprisingly funny story bursts onto the stage for the first time in this world premiere production, written and directed by Stephen Unwin.
An accomplished cast includes multi Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle award-winner Janie Dee (Carousel, Follies).
Laughing Boy is playing at Jermyn Street Theatre in London until 31 May 2024 and then touring. There is no current news of a West End run for Laughing Boy but check back for details or sign-up for alerts.
Connor is, well, Connor. He loves buses, Eddie Stobart, and Lego. He also has learning disabilities. When he dies an entirely preventable death in NHS care, his mum Sara can’t get a straight answer as to how it happened. But Sara and her family won’t stop asking questions and soon an extraordinary campaign emerges. Demanding the truth, it uncovers a scandal of neglect and indifference that goes beyond Connor’s death to thousands of others.
Stars and Creatives
Who is in the cast of Laughing Boy?
Janie Dee as Sara Ryan, Forbes Masson as Rich, Alfie Friedman as Connor Sparrowhawk, Lee Braithwaite as Owen, Charlie Ives as Will, Molly Osborne as Rosie, and Daniel Rainford as Tom.
Who are the creative team of Laughing Boy?
Written and directed by Stephen Unwin after Justice for Laughing Boy by Sara Ryan.
Simon Higlett (Designer), Ben Ormerod (Lighting Designer), Matt Powell (Video Designer), Holly Khan (Sound Designer), Daisy Francis-Bryden (Stage Manager), Grace Hancock (Technical ASM), Ashen Gupta (Associate Director), Rachael Griffin (Costume Supervisor), Sam Chown-Ahern (Assistant Director), Anna Wood (Associate Sound Designer), Douglas Baker (Assistant Video Designer), Ginny Schiller (Casting Director).
Important Notes
Content warnings:
Contains occasional loud noises, continued discussion of death and medical neglect as well as depictions of grief. There is frequent strong language, infrequent use of ableist language, infrequent acts of violence and one scene that depicts a short moment of self harm.
Google
AppleCritics' reviews of Laughing Boy
★★★★ “A moving story about love, laughter and the indomitability of one family's fighting spirit” The Telegraph
★★★★ "Janie Dee’s shattering central performance holds together this hard-hitting, soft-hearted polemic" - The Stage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Great Shows
