Old Vic Theatre

See Alan Ayckbourn’s epic new two-part play at the Old Vic with The Divide tickets

Alan Ayckbourn’s ambitious new play The Divide comes to The Old Vic Theatre, following an anticipated premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival. An unflinching portrayal of repression, rebellion and forbidden love, the drama is presented in two parts at the London venue, playing a limited season from February 2018.

A tale that will resonate in our turbulent present, The Divide takes place in a dystopian society, following the aftermath of a deadly contagion. A century from now, the infection has rendered contact between men and women fatal, and under the rules of a mysterious Preacher, an impossible solution is enforced. As genders become divided, male adult survivors are forced to wear white for purity, whilst the women are clothed in black as a sign of sin.

With siblings Elihu and Soween growing up in this twisted society, they slowly begin to realise the cracks in the system. When Elihu falls for Giella, the daughter of radical mothers, he risks his life by threatening to ignite a deadly rebellion. Under brutal repression and unthinkable love, can there ever truly be a solution?

Casting includes Jack Davies as Elihu, Erin Doherty as Soween, Clare Burt as Hork, Thusitha Jayasundera as Kest, Richard Katz as Conrad, Joanne McGuiness as Axi, Sophie Melville as Sassa, Clare Lawrence Moody as Desollia, Weruche Opia as Giella, Martin Quinn as Fergo, Letty Thomas as Grosh, Sian Thomas as Older Soween and Finty Williams as Chayza.

The Divide is directed by Annabel Bolton, Associate Director of The Old Vic, who has credits including Future Conditional and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Creative team includes designer Laura Hopkins, lighting designer Bobby Aitken, sound designer Ash J Woodward and video designer Lucy Hind, alongside composer David Plater and movement director Jessica Ronane CDG.

From the writer behind domestic comedies including Relatively Speaking and How the Other Half Loves, The Divide is Ayckbourn’s new play that runs in two parts at The Old Vic from February 1st to 10th 2018.

Child Friendly

The Divide is not suitable for children.