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The Southbury Child

1 Jul – 27 Aug 2022

Overview of the production

In a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre

Sharp-witted, wilful and frequently drunk, David Highland has kept a grip on his parish through a combination of disordered charm and high-handed determination. But when his conscience forces him to take a hard line with a parishioner who wants Disney balloons at a family funeral, he finds himself dangerously isolated from public opinion. As his own family begins to fracture, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not only his position in the town, but everything he stands for.

Stephen Beresford’s very funny new play is a deeply humane exploration of family, faith, tradition and tolerance in a rapidly changing world.

Three time Olivier winning, Alex Jennings makes his first appearance at The Bridge to lead this eagerly awaited return to the stage by a writer whose work includes The Last of the Haussmans at the National Theatre and the BAFTA-winning Pride.

"The play of the year so far"

The Telegraph ★★★★★
The Sunday Times ★★★★★
Mail on Sunday ★★★★★

"A majestic performance by Alex Jennings"

The Times ★★★★
The Observer ★★★★
TimeOut ★★★★

General Information

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Ticket prices
£15, £25, £39.50, £55, £65
Premium tickets £95
Reduced prices for midweek matinees

Group rate
Tickets up to £65 reduced to £39.50 each when booking 10+ tickets on Mon-Thurs performances (excluding matinee). Email groups@bridgetheatre.co.uk to book

Performance schedule
Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Wednesdays & Saturdays: 2.30pm

Length
Approx 2hrs 30mins, including an interval

Access performances
Audio Described: Saturday 30 July 2022, 2.30pm
Captioned: Tuesday 9 August 2022, 7.30pm
Find out more about our Access facilities

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Additional content

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Gallery

Production photos, Manuel Harlan
Production photos, Manuel Harlan
View all 41 images
Phoebe Nicholls stands and leans on a table talking to Alex Jennings wearing a black robe. She wears a grey cardigan and long skirt. Jack Greenlees sits at the table watching the exchange.
Phoebe Nicholls and Alex Jennings sit at a wooden table, they lean toward each other and Phoebe watches Alex intently.
Alex Jennings sits on a wooden chair at a wooden table. He wears a grey jumper and holds a pair of glasses
Holly Atkins stands in a doorway wearing a high vis jacket and carrying a motorbike helmet.
Racheal Ofori sits at a table, she holds a phone in one hand and mug in the other.
Phoebe Nicholls and Alex Jennings stand in a close embrace looking at each other. Behind them the church can be seen.
Hermione Gulliford stands, she is in conversation and wears a large white t shirt with a photo of young girl on it, it reads 'Justice for Taylor'.
Josh Finan peers in through the window of a doors.
Sarah Twomey stands wearing a puffer jacket, she looks close to tears.
Jo Herbert sits on a wooden table smiling.
Sarah Twomey sits at a large wooden table, she wears a puffer jacket, Alex Jennings stands on the other side of the table watching her.
Josh Finan and Alex Jennings sit at a wooden table cluttered with board games and mugs. Josh laughs, leaning across the table and Alex leans back in his chair with a glass. They are playing Kerplunk.
Phoebe Nicholls and Alex Jennings stand in a close embrace looking at each other. Behind them the church can be seen.
Phoebe Nicholls sits at wooden table with her hands clasped and looks sad.
Sarah Twomey stands opposite Alex Jennings, she wears a puffer jacket.
Racheal Ofori stands opposite Jack Greenlees, they talk over a large wooden table, she holds a glass in her hand.
Jack Greenlees sits at a table with his arm leaning on a chair.
Alex Jennings and Racheal Ofori stand, he watches her as she ignores him.
Phoebe Nicholls sits at wooden table with a patterned mug, she looks upset.
Sarah Twomey stands holding a pink children's scooter, she has a blank expression on her face and wears a puffer jacket.
Alex Jennings sits at a wooden table wearing a black blazer, hiw wedding band can be seen on his finger as he clenches his fist whilst speaking.
Sarah Twomey stands in the doorway she has a blank expression on her face and wears a puffer jacket.
Alex Jennings kneels in front of Hermione Gulliford with a pleading looks on his face.
Hermione Gulliford is in intense conversation with Alex Jennings who faces away from the camera. Hermione is wearing a dark long-sleeved top and fur waistcoat. Josh Finan, Phoebe Nicholls, Jack Greenlees and Holly Atkins are in the background.
Josh Finan sits on a window seat looking sheepish in a green hoodie and coat.
Josh Finan stands with his hands in his pockets. His mouth is slightly open and looks affronted.
Jo Herbert stands looking bemused in a long sleeved top and red skirt.
Phoebe Nicholls sits at wooden table, she wears a grey jumper and speaks to Alex Jennings.
Jack Greenlees leans on a chair in the backgorund amongst a busy kitchen and watches Alex Jennings who stands with his hands in the pockets of his blazer.
Jack Greenlees stands with a slight smile. He wears a black blazer and dog collar.
Josh Finan stands with his hands in his pockets and hood up. Alex Jennings looks down his nose at him.
Racheal Ofori sits at a table, she wears a long sleeved top with a sparkling green skirt.
Racheal Ofori stands at a sink, she has a kettle in one hand and pours water into a mug, she holds a phone in the other.
Jo Herbert sits on an ottoman looking up, in the background Alex Jennings and Jack Greenlees can be seen.
Alex Jennings sits at a table, he wears a black blazer and looks at Phoebe Nicholls
Holly Atkins stands holding out a letter to Jo Herbert, she wears a high vis jacket and Jo a bright red skirt.
Alex Jennings stands with ceramic mug in his hand smiling. He wears a grey jumper and trousers.
Phoebe Nicholls stands talking to Alex Jennings who is out of focus in the foreground. She wears a grey cardigan and long skirt.
Josh Finan stands behind wooden table, he wears a green coat and holds a glass in one hand and the other in his pocket. His mouth is slightly open and looks affronted.
Racheal Ofori sits at a table, she wears a long sleeved top with a sparkling green skirt.
Behind the scenes photos by Craig Sugden
Behind the scenes photos by Craig Sugden
View all 15 images
Black and white photo of a large dressing room. There are dressing tables around the edge of the room that have mirrors with lights around them, along with celebration greeting cards. 5 women from the cast sit at their tables and are all mid laughter
Racheal Ofori ( who has dark afro hair in a high ponytail, wearing huge hoop earrings and a sparkly pink top) is sat at a dressing table listening to her phone with a huge grin on her face
Backstage Alex Jennings gets into costume with the help of two crew members. The back of the set can be seen.
Sarah Twomey (brown long straight hair in a messy top knot) and Racheal Ofori (brown afro hair in a high pony tail) sit at their dressing room mirrors, both are busy crafting with their hands but they look at each other smiling
Alex Jennings (grey curly hair) is wearing a white cassock and dog collar, his hands are to his mouth
The cast of The Southbury Child line the walls of a corridor backstage, some stand leaning against walls, others sit on sofas, Alex Jennings sits on the floor legs stretched out in front of him. Everyone talks and laughs with each other.
Holly Atkins (bleach blonde hair tied back in a low bun) and Hemione Gulliford (cropped blonde hair in rollers) sit in front of dressing room mirrors doing their make up. There are lights around the mirror and greetings cards all over the wall
Josh Finan sits on a step in the wings next to a door that leads to the stage.
In black and white we see Josh Finan (20s, short straight hair, wearing jogging bottoms and polo top) and Jack Greenlees (short curly hair, wearing a priests dog collar). They're sat opposite each other laughing mid chat. Behind them is lightbulbs around mirrors and cups, papers, and greetings cards around the scene.
Rachael Ofori stands backstage waiting to go on, she watches from the wings and is lit from the side by two large lights.
Jo Herbert (Light brown hair in a low bun) peaks through curtains offstage, looking at the action on stage
Josh Finan (short straight hair and stubble, wearing black suit with a t shirt underneath) is sat waiting to go on stage. You can see the rear of the seat, mailing wood walls
Alex Jennings waits in the wings.
Backstage, waiting to go on are three people holding ornately decorated candlesticks and a cross.
Trailer - Watch here
Trailer - Watch here
Play Video
Play Video
The Southbury Child Rehearsals - Watch here
The Southbury Child Rehearsals - Watch here
Play Video
Play Video
First Day of Rehearsals - Watch here
First Day of Rehearsals - Watch here
Play Video
Play Video
Rehearsal photos, Manuel Harlan
Rehearsal photos, Manuel Harlan
View all 17 images
Jo Herbert stands with one hand under her chin and another in her pocket. She has brown hair tied back in a bun and wears a white t-shirt with khaki green trousers.
A large rehearsal room is filled with a big table atop a woven rug. There are different styles of wooden chairs sat at the table and also around the room. Seven people can be seen (two men and five women), most of them are sitting. They all look off in the same direction, listening.
Hermione Gulliford is in intense conversation with Alex Jennings who faces away from the camera. Hermione is wearing a black long sleeved top and dark reading glasses.
In amongst a busy room filled with household props, Racheal Ofori stands holding a script over in her arms. Her legs are slightly crossed and she looks off into the distance. She has dark hair in tight curls, and is wearing an orange long sleeved top and black leggings.
Holly Atkins stands leaning on a table, she wears a large blue shirt and glasses.
Josh Finan (messy wavy hair and growing beard) wears a black top and trousers. He stands with a script folding in one hand and the other in his pocket. His mouth is slightly open and looks affronted.
Hermione Gulliford stands with a script in one hand and the other resting on a rattan wooden chair. She's got dark framed glasses and short hair style in a quiff.
Alex Jennings sits at a table, he is speaking. He wears a blue shirt and holds a pair of glasses. There is a glass bottle on the table.
Stephen Beresford sits at a wooden table, he wears a navy short-sleeved t shirt and glasses. He is laughing.
Phoebe Nicholls sits at wooden table, she wears a grey v neck jumper and glasses.
Left to right, Racheal Ofori, Alex Jennings and Hermione Gulliford sit on chairs ina row against a wall of mirrors. There attention is focused of camera, as they smile. Racheal wears a red longs sleeved top and gold jewellery, Alex has blue overshirt ontop of a white top, his glasses sit on his head. Hermione wears a black t-shirt and white denim jacket with glasses. They each hold scripts.
Sarah Twomey (brown long hair in a messy top knot) sits smiling. She's wearing a blue red and white striped top and has a script open resting on her knees. In the background slightly blurred is Jack Greenlees (short curls) sat in the same way.
Holly Atkins sits at a wooden table leaning on a script with a pen in hand. She has white blonde hair and wears a navy top with thick black glasses.
Phoebe Nichols and Jo Herbert stand behind a table with a large bowl and series of mugs atop it. Phoebe embraces Jo with a shocked expression whilst Jo laughs.
Jack Greenlees leans over a table with a cardboard box on top of it. He wears a blue cardigan over a white t shirt
Phoebe Nicholls and Alex Jennings sit at a wooden table, there are scripts on the table and they watch each other intently.
From the Critics
From the Critics
View all 4 images
In large text, five stars,
In large text, four stars,
In large text, four stars,
From the Script
From the Script
View all 5 images
: On a green background in white and beige text
: On a green background in white and beige text
: On a green background in white and beige text
: On a green background in white and beige text
From our Audiences
From our Audiences
View all 8 images
On a green background in white and beige text
On a green background in white and beige text

Cast

Holly Atkins
Joy Sampson

Holly Atkins
Josh Finan
Lee Southbury

Josh Finan
Jack Greenlees
Craig Collier

Jack Greenlees
Hermione Gulliford
Janet Oram

Hermione Gulliford
Jo Herbert
Susannah Highland

Jo Herbert
Alex Jennings
David Highland

Alex Jennings
Phoebe Nicholls
Mary Highland

Phoebe Nicholls
Racheal Ofori
Naomi Highland

Racheal Ofori
Sarah Twomey
Tina Southbury

Sarah Twomey
Nick Barclay
Understudy David Highland

Nick Barclay
Amy Brown
Understudy Susannah Highland & Joy Sampson

Amy Brown
Hilary Derrett
Understudy Mary Highland & Janet Oram

Hilary Derrett
Chris Knight
Understudy Lee Southbury & Craig Collier

Chris Knight
Lola May
Understudy Naomi Highland & Tina Southbury

Lola May

Creatives

Writer

Stephen Beresford
Director

Nicholas Hytner
Set Designer

Mark Thompson
Costume Designer

Yvonne Milnes
Lighting Designer

Max Narula
Sound Designer

George Dennis
Casting Director

Robert Sterne
Assistant Director

Isabel Marr
Associate Set Designer

Jaimie Todd
Costume Supervisor

Rosemary Elliott-Dancs
Props Supervisor

Lily Mollgaard
Production Manager

Chris Hay