Southwark Playhouse Borough is set to host the world premiere of Radiant Boy, a new play by Nancy Netherwood, running from 21 May to 14 June 2025.
The production, directed by Júlia Levai, stars Stuart Thompson and Renée Lamb in a haunting story exploring faith, shame, and queerness.
Radiant Boy was selected as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 37 Plays competition in 2023. Set in North-East England in 1983, the play follows trainee singer Russell and his mother, Maud, as they await a young priest who believes Russell is possessed. Combining North East folk music with 1980s New Wave, the production promises an intense and immersive experience in the venue’s intimate ‘The Little’ auditorium.
Playwright Nancy Netherwood expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing Radiant Boy to life at Southwark Playhouse with such an incredible team both onstage and off. The intimate space is perfect for an intense, claustrophobic exorcism story – we can really crank up the tension and eeriness, but hopefully you’ll also feel part of Russell’s journey of queer self-acceptance.”
The creative team includes set and costume designer Tomás Palmer, lighting designer Lucia Sanchez Roldan, and sound designer Patch Middleton.
Stuart Thompson takes on the role of Russell, bringing extensive theatre experience from productions such as Three Sisters (Shakespeare’s Globe), Spring Awakening (Almeida Theatre), and A Taste of Honey (National Theatre). His television credits include SAS Rogue Heroes, The Witcher, and Starstruck. In 2022, he received The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards.
Renée Lamb, known for originating the role of Catherine of Aragon in SIX, plays Steph/The Voice. Her theatre credits include Passing Strange (Young Vic), Cake (Lyric Theatre, The Other Palace), Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World (UK tour), and Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). She has also appeared in television series This Town and Still So Awkward.
Radiant Boy is presented by Cloudburst Productions Ltd in association with Southwark Playhouse.
Radiant Boy runs from 21 May to 14 June 2025 at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
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