No longer booking
  • Venue Trafalgar Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 22 November 2025
  • Running time 1 hour 40 minutes (no interval)
  • Age guidelines 12+

Get Tickets to Clarkston in London

Joe Locke (Heartstopper, Agatha All Along) makes his West End debut in Clarkston, an emotionally rich and beautifully written new play by Samuel D. Hunter, writer of the Oscar-winning film The Whale.

Staged at London’s Trafalgar Theatre for a strictly limited nine-week run, Clarkston is directed by rising star Jack Serio, and also features Ruaridh Mollica (Sebastian, The Franchise) and Sophie Melville (The Way, Iphigenia in Splott).

This emotionally intimate drama is a modern frontier story that blazes a trail through friendship, acceptance, love and the hope of new discoveries.

What is Clarkston about?

Jake is heading west, unsure of what he’s looking for. Chris is working nights at Costco, keeping his head down. In an unlikely meeting, the two discover a shared sense of longing — and the courage to imagine a different future.

Set in small-town America, Clarkston is a quietly powerful exploration of friendship, identity, and the quiet hope of starting again.

Why See Clarkston?

  • Joe Locke’s West End debut – see the Heartstopper star live on stage
  • Written by Samuel D. Hunter, author of The Whale
  • Directed by Jack Serio, one of New York theatre’s most exciting talents
  • Features Sophie Melville, Evening Standard Award nominee for Iphigenia in Splott

About Joe Locke

Joe Locke became a household name with his breakout performance in Netflix’s Heartstopper, earning an Emmy nomination and widespread acclaim. He recently starred in Agatha All Along for Marvel and made his Broadway debut in Sweeney Todd. Locke won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Professional Debut for The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse, and is now executive producing the upcoming Heartstopper film.

On a journey West to rediscover himself, Jake unexpectedly meets Chris – a kindred soul hiding in a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As their bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Maybe they could finally give life new meaning by chasing something more – like the intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark before them.

Clarkston is a modern frontier story that blazes a trail through friendship, acceptance, love and the hope of new discoveries.

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Clarkston?

Starring Joe Locke, Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville

Who are the creative team of Clarkston?

  • Written by Samuel D. Hunter
  • Directed by Jack Serio
  • Set & Costume Designer – Milla Clarke
  • Lighting Designer – Stacey Derosier
  • Sound Designer – George Dennis
  • Casting Director – Stuart Burt
  • Dramaturg – John Baker
  • General Manager & Executive Producer – Wessex Grove
  • The producing team will also include Craig Balsam, Patrick Catullo and Daniel Neale.

Venue Information

Trafalgar Theatre , 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY

Nearest Tube or Train: Charing Cross (Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 9, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 153, 159

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Clarkston

★★★★★ "Clarkston is surely the coolest show in the West End at the moment" - CityAM

★★★★ "The Netflix star is funny and touching in this soulful staging of Samuel D Hunter’s Clarkston" - Telegraph

★★★★ "Heartstopper’s Joe Locke has nailed this coming of age part" - Daily Mail

★★★★ "Joe Locke and Ruaridh Mollica are enchanting in this soulful exploration of young adulthood" - Radio Times

● "Sensitively directed by Jack Serio and attentively acted by Joe Locke (Heartstopper), Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville" - The Stage

● "Mollica effortlessly breathes life into this hard-shelled character" - Guardian

● "The Heartstopper actor and his co-stars are excellent" - Times

● "Heartstopper's Joe Locke and Ruaridh Mollica shine" - Express

● "Brimming with heart" - What's On Stage

Also see: Clarkston Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarkston is playing at the Trafalgar Theatre in London
The running time of Clarkston is 1 hour 40 minutes (no interval)
The age recommendations for Clarkston are: 12+
Yes, Clarkston has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday
No, sorry, Clarkston has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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