A man sat crossed leg at a table, in a coffee shop, looking directly at the camera, holding a white teacup. On the table is a yellow teapot, with the lid off, and a mushroom cloud escaping. Behind him are several illustrated prints.

A FAMILY BUSINESS

PRESENTED BY CHINA PLATE AND STAATSTHEATER MAINZ
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY CHRIS THORPE
DIRECTED BY CLAIRE O'REILLY
DEVELOPED WITH RACHEL CHAVKIN & LEKAN LAWAL
A show about how not to blow up the planet.

We don’t really talk about nuclear weapons much. 

Even though they accompany us everywhere. 

Invisible guests in cafés, on the shelves of supermarkets, in line at the cash machine. 

Guests that could destroy all of that and more in a second. 

A Family Business is about diplomats, activists, and a journey to change the world. If these weapons could wipe out all our tomorrows, then why aren’t we all talking about them today? 

In partnership with Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. Supported by Warwick Arts Centre and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. 

Image credits © Rebecca Lupton & Ivan Pieri Gonzalez – picture in frame by Ahmed ElHassan 

“A Family Business is brilliant. A show which encourages us to be part of the urgent conversation and action for the sake of present and future generations. A show full of hope and humanity”- Véronique Christory, Senior Arms Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross at the United Nations

“Cannot recommend it enough. Apart from the subject matter’s urgency, its brilliant use of multi-lingualism, technology and staging has seared it in my brain” – Audience feedback

23-25 FEB
4PM & 7:30PM
£18 STANDARD
£16 CONCESSION

A FAMILY BUSINESS

PRESENTED BY CHINA PLATE AND STAATSTHEATER MAINZ
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY CHRIS THORPE
DIRECTED BY CLAIRE O'REILLY
DEVELOPED WITH RACHEL CHAVKIN & LEKAN LAWAL
A show about how not to blow up the planet.

We don’t really talk about nuclear weapons much. 

Even though they accompany us everywhere. 

Invisible guests in cafés, on the shelves of supermarkets, in line at the cash machine. 

Guests that could destroy all of that and more in a second. 

A Family Business is about diplomats, activists, and a journey to change the world. If these weapons could wipe out all our tomorrows, then why aren’t we all talking about them today? 

In partnership with Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. Supported by Warwick Arts Centre and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. 

Image credits © Rebecca Lupton & Ivan Pieri Gonzalez – picture in frame by Ahmed ElHassan 

“A Family Business is brilliant. A show which encourages us to be part of the urgent conversation and action for the sake of present and future generations. A show full of hope and humanity”- Véronique Christory, Senior Arms Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross at the United Nations

“Cannot recommend it enough. Apart from the subject matter’s urgency, its brilliant use of multi-lingualism, technology and staging has seared it in my brain” – Audience feedback

23-25 FEB
4PM & 7:30PM
£18 STANDARD
£16 CONCESSION

A Family Business | Production Shots

  • The camera is focused on a woman looking at a man in the foreground on a laptop, she looks slightly concerned.
  • A pile of yellow wires is lite up in the left corner of the photo, on a darkened stage. A man is sitting on a chair, with his back to the camera, looking at the pile of wires.
  • A man is stood on stage, looking up to the audience. Behind him to the left is a large, entangled pile of yellow, black, and orange wires.

Photography by Andreas J. Etter and design by Eleanor Field

A Family Business | Trailer

Performance filmed by Andreas J. Etter
Edited by RB Films

Creative Team

Writer & performer

Chris Thorpe

Director 

Claire O’Reilly

Assistant Director on Production

Tim Schmultzer

Dramaturg

Rachel Chavkin & Jörg Vorhaben

Designer & Costume Designer

Eleanor Field

Sound Designer

Anna Clock

Lighting & AV Designer

Arnim Friess

Production Manager

Rob Athorn

Performer (Layla)

Efé Agwele

Performer (Veronique)

Andrea Quirbach

Performer (James)

Gregg Barnett

Book Now

Concessions

Concessions apply to students, under-18s, over-60s and more. For more info on our concession policy click here→

Accessibility

All performance spaces and facilities are fully wheelchair-accessible. For more info please contact Box Office on 0207 498 4699.

Ticket Collection

We operate a paperless box office system. You will be emailed a receipt once you have booked in advance. There is no need to print this off, just state your name at the box office on arrival.

Café Bar

Serving a menu of hot drinks, craft beers, wine and seasonal cocktails before and after every show and a full home-made food menu including freshly baked pastries, delicious cakes and savoury light bites from Friday – Sunday. 

Content Warnings

Strong language, flashing lights and smoke, themes of nuclear warfare

Find out more here.

Age Recommendation

14+

Duration

1h30m

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