Developed, while on a Channel 4 playwriting bursary at the Tricycle, The Great Wave won the Catherine Johnson Best Play Award in 2016.
On a Japanese beach, teenage sisters Hanako (Kirsty Rider) and Reiko (Kae Alexander) are caught up in a storm. Reiko survives while Hanako is lost to the sea. Their mother (Rosalind Chao), however, can’t shake the feeling that her missing daughter is still alive, and soon family tragedy takes on a global political dimension.
Set in Japan and North Korea, Francis Turnly’s epic new thriller is directed by Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre Indhu Rubasingham in a co-production with the Tricycle Theatre.
 
 
 
 
1 of 7
-+
ADVERTISEMENT
1. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Tuyen Do, Kirsty Rider in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photo by Mark Douet
2. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Leo Wan, Kae Alexander, Rosalind Chao in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photo by Mark Douet
3. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Leo Wan, David Yip, Chike Chan in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photo by Mark Douet
4. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Kae Alexander, Rosalind Chao in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photographer Mark Douet.
5. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Kae Alexander, Rosalind Chao in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Image byMark Douet.
6. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Kae Alexander, Leo Wan in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photo by Mark Douet
 
 
 
 
7. The Great Wave by Francis Turnly at the National Theatre
Director
Indhu Rubasingham
Designer
Tom Piper
Video Designer
Luke Halls
Lighting Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Music
David Shrubsole
Sound Designer
Alex Caplen
Movement Director
Polly Bennett
Fight Director
Kev McCurdy
Cast
Kae Alexander
Chike Chan
Rosalind Chao
Tuyen Do
Vincent Lai
Kwong Loke
Frances Mayli McCann
Kirsty Rider
Leo Wan
David Yip
Kae Alexander, Kirsty Rider in rehearsals for The Great Wave by Francis Turnly. Photo by Mark Douet
The Great Wave is at The National Theatre 10th March – 14th April.
At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.