Full casting has been announced for the first revival of Firebird, Phil Davies’ powerful debut play, which opens at Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer.
Produced by Double Telling, the production will run from 9 July to 1 August 2026, with an official press night on 15 July.
Director Marlie Haco brings together a cast of Mollie Milne, Taqi Nazeer and Kelise Gordon-Harrison in a new staging that relocates the story from Rochdale to Glasgow.
The play examines the devastating impact of grooming and exploitation on young people, focusing on the fragile friendship between two teenage girls as one is drawn into the orbit of an older man.
Mollie Milne makes her London stage debut as Tia, alongside Taqi Nazeer as AJ and Kelise Gordon-Harrison, also making her London debut, as Katie.
Director Marlie Haco said: “Although the play was originally set in Rochdale, where some of the first major cases involving grooming gangs came to light, we now know that this issue affects communities across the UK. With that in mind, we met actors from all over the country during the casting process, and Phil Davies’ and I ultimately made the decision to relocate the production to Glasgow.”
She added: “I’m excited to work with these three talented actors to bring this new staging of Firebird to Southwark Playhouse Borough, and I hope it will spark meaningful conversations about an issue that continues to devastate communities across the nation.”
Described as “raw and unflinching”, the play returns more than a decade after its acclaimed premiere at Hampstead Theatre and subsequent West End transfer.
The production reunites OFFIE nominees Marlie Haco and set designer Tomás Palmer, alongside Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Ben Jacobs, with sound and composition by Ákos Lustyik.
Double Telling is also partnering with charities including One in Four, Lasting Support and Together (Southwark Wellbeing Hub) to raise awareness and support survivors of child sexual exploitation.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
