Cloudburst Productions Ltd, in association with Southwark Playhouse, announces the world premiere of Radiant Boy, a new play by Nancy Netherwood. This exciting production will debut at Southwark Playhouse Borough, following its recognition in the RSC’s 37 Plays competition in 2023. Directed by Júlia Levai, the play stars Stuart Thompson and Renée Lamb.
Radiant Boy opens at Southwark Playhouse Borough on 21 May and runs until 14 June, with the press night scheduled for 23 May.
Nancy Netherwood shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing Radiant Boy to life at Southwark Playhouse with such an incredible team both onstage and off. The intimate space of ‘The Little’ auditorium is perfect for an intense, claustrophobic exorcism story – we can really crank up the tension and eeriness, but hopefully you’ll also feel part of Russell’s journey of queer self-acceptance. I can’t wait to fill the space with North East folk music and 80s New Wave!”
Supported by Arts Council England, the production will also recruit two trainee producers, offer shadowing opportunities for ten industry newcomers, and host a series of wrap-around events, including captioned performances. More details will be released soon.
The cast includes Stuart Thompson as Russell and Renée Lamb as Steph/The Voice. The creative team features set and costume designer Tomás Palmer, lighting designer Lucia Sanchez Roldan, and sound designer Patch Middleton.
Set in North-East England in 1983, Radiant Boy follows trainee singer Russell and his mother Maud as they await the arrival of a young priest who believes Russell is possessed. This new play explores themes of faith, shame, and queerness, and was the winner of the RSC’s 37 Plays competition.
Stuart Thompson’s theatre credits include Three Sisters (Shakespeare’s Globe), Ghosts (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), and Spring Awakening (Almeida Theatre). His television credits include SAS Rogue Heroes, Starstruck, and The Witcher. In 2022, he won The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards.
Renée Lamb’s theatre credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Southwark Playhouse, Passing Strange (Young Vic), and SIX (Arts Theatre). Her television credits include This Town and Still So Awkward.
Nancy Netherwood’s previous works include Warm Lonely Planet at Southwark Playhouse and Goodnight, Mr Spindrift (Old Red Lion Theatre). She is currently part of the London Library Emerging Writers Programme.
Júlia Levai’s directing credits include Smoke at Southwark Playhouse and We’ll Be Who We Are (VAULT Festival). She has also worked as an assistant and associate director at the National Theatre and the RSC.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
