Black Swan bring ‘an atomic reckoning of love and legacy’ to Heath Ledger Theatre

Black Swan State Theatre Company has announced the newest addition to its record-breaking 2024 season. Tony Award-nominated play The Children, written by Lucy Kirkwood, will star three of Perth’s favourite actors and is showing at Heath Ledger Theatre from Saturday, August 24 to Sunday, September 25.

The Children tells the tale of Robin (Humphrey Bower) and Hazel (Nicola Barlett), two nuclear scientists who live a quiet existence in their isolated cottage on the coast. They’ve been there ever since the disaster. Electricity is rationed, and radiation fills the air, but it’s peaceful.

That is, until old friend and colleague Rose (Caroline Brazier) arrives on their doorstep, bringing with her a past Robin and Hazel had tried to leave behind. Rose’s arrival stirs old emotions and unspoken love affairs, challenging the delicate balance of their lives. As secrets are revealed, Rose presents a frightening proposal that forces Robin and Hazel to confront both their personal responsibilities and their broader responsibilities to the world they have helped shape.

“The Children is a beautifully nuanced play that examines family, desire, friendship and morality,” said Director Mel Cantwell. “It’s an urgent story about the future, but deeply rooted in the here and now, with characters whose struggles and connections are universally relatable, while the play skilfully examines the legacies we leave behind: a topic that is more relevant now than ever as we enter the nuclear debate.”

The performance will come to life on stage in Perth thanks to Set and Costume Designer Bruce Mckinven, Lighting Designer Matthew Marshall, Composer and Sound Designer Rachael Dease, Stage Manager Izzy Taylor and Assistant Stage Manager Kira Feeney.

The Children is showing at Heath Ledger Theatre from Saturday, August 24 to Sunday, September 25, 2024. Tickets are on sale now from blackswantheatre.com.au