Book now for the world premiere of The Briar Patch at the Royal Court, Ciara Elizabeth Smyth’s domestic thriller starring Olivier Award-winner Juliet Stevenson and directed by David Byrne, from 14 May to 26 June 2027.

The Briar Patch in London

“I was starting to feel like my head was full of holes.” Dara is learning to live with blank spaces: conversations she can’t remember and the occasional hallucination. Then scandal rocks her community and a family friend is arrested, and she begins to ask questions, and the answers threaten to pull her life apart.

Ciara Elizabeth Smyth’s The Briar Patch is a domestic thriller about what happens when you lose trust in the people closest to you.

Olivier Award-winner Juliet Stevenson (The Doctor, Truly Madly Deeply) stars in the world premiere, directed by Royal Court Artistic Director and Olivier Award nominee David Byrne.

It’s a play with a story of its own, too, since The Briar Patch was first shared at the Royal Court’s Open Submissions Festival before being chosen for a full production in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. For Smyth, it’s “beyond my wildest dreams.”

If you like your thrillers close to home and intensely human, this is one to put in the diary.

Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Tickets by Month
May 2027
Jun 2027

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of The Briar Patch ?

Juliet Stevenson stars, with the rest of the cast to be announced at a later date.

Who are the creative team of The Briar Patch ?

  • Writer: Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
  • Director: David Byrne
  • Casting director: Saffeya Shebli

Venue Information

Royal Court Theatre , Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS

Nearest Tube or Train: Sloane Square (Circle Line, District Line)

Nearest Buses: 19, 22, 319, C1, N19, N22, 137, 452

Directions

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Briar Patch is playing at the Royal Court Theatre in London
To buy official London Theatre tickets to The Briar Patch , click on the Get Tickets button at the top of this page. You will be able to access the booking calendar to check live ticket availability and prices and see any exclusive offers or discounts. You will be purchasing tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
Yes, The Briar Patch has matinee performances on the following days: Thursday, Saturday

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