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Latest News: Keira Knightley in the West End >

A highlight of the winter season in the West End, Keira Knightley, Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) and Ellen Burstyn star in Lillian Hellman’s intense, compelling drama set in the 1930s, directed by Ian Rickson (Jerusalem).

Banned in London and several cities across America, The Children’s Hour received its world premiere on Broadway in 1934. Generations on, its potent exploration of a culture of fear remains startlingly relevant.

A Compelling Drama: The Story

When a schoolgirl’s whisper spreads, it triggers a chain of events with extraordinary consequences. Karen Wright (Keira Knightley) and Martha Dobie (Elisabeth Moss) run a girls’ boarding school in 1930s New England, where they become entangled in a devastating story of deceit, shame and courage. 

VENUE: Harold Pinter Theatre (previously known as Comedy Theatre)

Photos by Johan Persson.

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Stars and Creatives

Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss

Who is in the cast of The Children's Hour?

  • LISA BACKWELL – Evelyn Munn
  • ISABELLA BRAZIER-JONES – Helen Burton
  • ELLEN BURSTYN – Amelia Tilford
  • POPPY CARTER – Janet
  • MARAMA CORLETT – Lois Fisher
  • NANCY CRANE – Agatha
  • AMY DAWSON – Rosalie Wells
  • ISABEL ELLISON – Catherine
  • BRYONY HANNAH – Mary Tilford
  • CAROL KANE – Lily Mortar
  • KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – Karen Wright
  • TOBIAS MENZIES – Dr Joseph Cardin
  • ELISABETH MOSS – Martha Dobie
  • NATHAN NOLAN – Grocery Boy
  • EVE PONSONBY – Peggy Rodgers

Who are the creative team of The Children's Hour?

  • LILLIAN HELLMAN – Playwright
  • IAN RICKSON – Director
  • MARK THOMPSON – Designer
  • NEIL AUSTIN – Lighting Designer
  • STEPHEN WARBECK – Music
  • PAUL GROOTHUIS – Sound Designer

Sonia Friedman Productions & Scott Landis, Bob Bartner/Norman Tulchin, Max Cooper, Scott M Delman, Roy Furman, Jon B Platt in association with Rupert Gavin presents “THE CHILDREN’S HOUR”.

Venue Information

Harold Pinter Theatre , 6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN

Nearest Tube or Train: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453

Directions

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Critics' reviews of The Children's Hour

★★★★ "The stars deliver" Evening Standard

★★★★ "This is a powerful night in the West End and Knightley has impressively won her theatrical spurs" Daily Telegraph

★★★★ "Knightley develops some real strength and Moss explodes into a horrified confession" The Times

★★★ "Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss ... prove as potent a combination on stage as at the box office" The Guardian

Also see: The Children's Hour Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

The Children's Hour is playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London
The age recommendations for The Children's Hour are: 12+
Yes, The Children's Hour has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, The Children's Hour has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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