This summer, Charing Cross Theatre will host the world premiere of The Daughter of Time, a bold new stage adaptation of Josephine Tey’s acclaimed crime novel.
Adapted by M. Kilburg Reedy and directed by Jenny Eastop, the production runs from Friday 18 July to Saturday 13 September 2025, with a Gala Press Night on Friday 25 July—marking what would have been Tey’s 129th birthday.
Presented by Excelsior Entertainment, Mercurius Theatre, and Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions, The Daughter of Time reimagines Tey’s genre-defining novel—ranked No.1 in the British Crime Writers’ Association’s list of the Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.
Set in 1950s London, the story follows Inspector Alan Grant, confined to a hospital bed, as he investigates the historical mystery of Richard III and the Princes in the Tower. What begins as a distraction soon becomes a gripping mission involving Shakespearean actors, opinionated nurses, and a passionate American researcher.
Playwright M. Kilburg Reedy said, “Like so many other readers, I was fascinated by Josephine Tey’s brilliant novel when I first came across it and felt inspired to dig deeper into Richard III’s story. What drew me in was a sense of injustice done to Richard and the question of how a historical record can be distorted for political purposes – including even recent events within everyone’s living memory. As a playwright, it was a challenge to make Inspector Grant’s famous inquiry dynamic and theatrical, so I introduced some other elements and even a new character to the story, while remaining true enough to the novel’s DNA that I hope to satisfy Tey’s most ardent fans. I also hope I’ve made an argument that prods even the Richard antagonists to look at the evidence, and lack of evidence, with fresh eyes.”
Philippa Langley MBE, Deputy Chair of the Richard III Society, added, “Kilburg has written a gripping play that makes an eloquent defense case for Richard III based on Josephine Tey’s landmark work. Last summer, when Kilburg brought a company of actors to perform a staged reading of it during the Society’s 2024 Centenary celebrations at Middleham in Yorkshire, the membership and local community audience were absolutely delighted with it. The opening night on Tey’s birthday feels as if it was meant to be, and I’m incredibly excited to see the play getting the premiere it deserves.”
Director Jenny Eastop commented, “I read The Daughter of Time years ago and remember how astonishingly eye-opening it is, not only the truth about Richard III of course but also the ability of those in power to re-write history to create an alternate ‘truth’. Kilburg Reedy’s play brings the characters brilliantly springing off the page with dramatic life but is also a trumpet call from history to make us question who is in control of writing ‘truth’.”
Production Designer Bob Sterrett said, “The Daughter of Time has everything that’s fun – a murder mystery, a cold case file, a love story, and Kings and Queens with an added Shakespearean edge.”
Steven Levy, Director of Charing Cross Theatre, noted, “Our theatre is perhaps best known for its musical productions, but we make a concerted effort to present at least one dramatic production each year that really stands out to us. We are proud to be presenting The Daughter of Time, a play which we believe is a uniquely entertaining and challenging work that our audiences will derive immense pleasure from.”
Greg Frankenfield of Excelsior Entertainment added, “This is a play for our times – exploring misinformation, public perception, and the fight for truth. It couldn’t be more relevant.”
The Daughter of Time is written by M. Kilburg Reedy, directed by Jenny Eastop, with set and costume design by Bob Sterrett, lighting design by Oliver McNally, composition by Haddon Kime, sound design by Andrew Johnson, hair, make-up and wigs by Diana Estrada Hudson, and casting by Neil Rutherford.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
