Spend a day exploring The Children, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for The Children, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
We will read aloud selected scenes from the play and delve into its themes, as well as discussing how a theatre production might bring the world and characters of the plays to life.
What will we cover?
The play is set in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, and examines the question of responsibility, legacy and what kind of world we leave for the generations to come. The three characters have their own shared history and complicated relationships, and as these are gradually revealed the play also explores issues of love, friendship and family.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss The Children in an informed and confident manner;
Identify the themes of the play and how these are woven through the language and action of the piece;
Describe how these themes might be illuminated in performance through creative design and acting choices.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required, just an interest in reading, considering and discussing the play.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor mini-lecture, small and large group discussion and some reading aloud of the play texts for anyone who wishes to participate.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow a copy of The Children by Lucy Kirkwood.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Drama courses in our Literature Programme at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Laura is an experienced theatre director, teacher and writer and has taught at City Lit since 2011. Laura has worked at a wide range of venues including the National Theatre, the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, Birmingham Rep, the Cambridge Arts Theatre, and Southwark Playhouse. She loves all types of plays, from new writing and devised theatre to Shakespeare and works in translation, and enjoys bringing scenes and characters to life with students in her classes. Laura studied English Literature as an undergraduate at Oxford University and went on to take an MA in Text and Performance Studies at King’s College London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She now splits her time between teaching and writing novels for young adults.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/play-in-a-day-the-children-by-lucy-kirkwood3017071Play in a day: The Children by Lucy Kirkwood’https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/demystifying-poetry-hlt354-1080.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Drama22851177118711891228511771187<p>Spend a day exploring <em>The Children</em>, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for <em>The Children</em>, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.</p>003017065Play in a day: The Children by Lucy Kirkwood’6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/demystifying-poetry-hlt354-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-07-10T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT4026969Play in a day: The Children by Lucy Kirkwood’556969Laura Baggaleyplay-in-a-day-the-children-by-lucy-kirkwood/hlt402-2526<p>Spend a day exploring <em>The Children</em>, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for <em>The Children</em>, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-10 00:00:00<p>We will read aloud selected scenes from the play and delve into its themes, as well as discussing how a theatre production might bring the world and characters of the plays to life.</p><p>Spend a day exploring <em>The Children</em>, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for <em>The Children</em>, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.</p><p>The play is set in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, and examines the question of responsibility, legacy and what kind of world we leave for the generations to come. The three characters have their own shared history and complicated relationships, and as these are gradually revealed the play also explores issues of love, friendship and family.</p><ul><li>Discuss <em>The Children</em> in an informed and confident manner;</li><li>Identify the themes of the play and how these are woven through the language and action of the piece; </li><li>Describe how these themes might be illuminated in performance through creative design and acting choices.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge is required, just an interest in reading, considering and discussing the play.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Tutor mini-lecture, small and large group discussion and some reading aloud of the play texts for anyone who wishes to participate. </p><p> </p><p>Please buy or borrow a copy of <em>The Children </em>by Lucy Kirkwood.</p><p> </p><p>Look for other Drama courses in our Literature Programme at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureDramavirtual556969HLT402NONEFri10/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLaura BaggaleyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-10T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Play in a day: The Children by Lucy Kirkwood’play-in-a-day-the-children-by-lucy-kirkwood/hlt402-2526<p>Spend a day exploring <em>The Children</em>, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for <em>The Children</em>, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-10 00:00:00<p>We will read aloud selected scenes from the play and delve into its themes, as well as discussing how a theatre production might bring the world and characters of the plays to life.</p><p>Spend a day exploring <em>The Children</em>, a naturalistic and funny play that tackles serious themes as it charts an encounter between three retired nuclear scientists. Leading playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, received a Writers Guild Best Play Award for <em>The Children</em>, which premiered Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2016, followed by a run on Broadway in 2017, and was revived at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024.</p><p>The play is set in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, and examines the question of responsibility, legacy and what kind of world we leave for the generations to come. The three characters have their own shared history and complicated relationships, and as these are gradually revealed the play also explores issues of love, friendship and family.</p><ul><li>Discuss <em>The Children</em> in an informed and confident manner;</li><li>Identify the themes of the play and how these are woven through the language and action of the piece; </li><li>Describe how these themes might be illuminated in performance through creative design and acting choices.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge is required, just an interest in reading, considering and discussing the play.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Tutor mini-lecture, small and large group discussion and some reading aloud of the play texts for anyone who wishes to participate. </p><p> </p><p>Please buy or borrow a copy of <em>The Children </em>by Lucy Kirkwood.</p><p> </p><p>Look for other Drama courses in our Literature Programme at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureDramaconfigurable
11891187Dramahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/drama-plays-and-players1/2/285/1177/1187/11891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Drama
