Birdsong
How far would you go for love.
Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss returns to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel.
The critically acclaimed show returns in a brand-new production for 2024. Telling the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.
In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.
A mesmerising story of love and courage. Set both before and during the Great War.
Once seen never forgotten.
Production information
Cast (in alphabetical order)
Evans/Levi – Joseph Benjamin Baker
Jack Firebrace – Max Bowden
Tipper – Raif Clarke
Stephen Wraysford – James Esler
Brennan – James Findlay
Turner/Military Policeman – Dave Fishley
Lisette Azaire/Emmeline – Gracie Follows
Marguerite – Sulin Hasso
John/Lebrun/Shaw – Tama Phethean
Jeanne Fourmentier/Nurse Mary – Natalie Radmall-Quirke
Berard/Colonel Barclay – Roger Ringrose
Isabelle Azaire – Charlie Russell
René Azaire/Captain Gray – Sargon Yelda
Creative team
Writer – Rachel Wagstaff
Director – Alastair Whatley
Designer – Richard Kent
Lighting Designer – Jason Taylor
Sound Designer – Dominic Bilkey
Original Music Design – Tim Van Eyken
Composer – Sophie Cotton
Casting Director – Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG
Musical Director – James Findlay
Associate Director – Bethany West
Military Advisor – Tony Green
Fight & Intimacy Directors – Yarit Dor, Enric Ortuño
Dialect Coaches – Frankie Aaronovitch-Bruce, James Aitken
Violinist (recording) – Jessie May Smart
Production Team
Producer – Tom Hackney and Alastair Whatley for Original Theatre
Producer - JAS Theatricals
Co-Producer – Tiny Giant Entertainment
Co-Producer – Wiltshire Creative
Co-Producer – Birdsong Productions
Associate Producer – Joshua Beaumont & Huw Allen
Production Manager – Tammy Rose
Production Coordinator – Lisa Friedrich
Company Stage Manager – Alyssa Elliott
Technical Stage Manager – Ana Snook
Deputy Stage Manager – Kanoko Shimizu
Assistant Stage Manager – Elle Roberts
Sound No.1 – Simon McCorry
Wardrobe & Wig Master – David Morgan
Props Supervisor – Katie Balmforth
Wigs Supervisor – Darren Ware
Props Makers – Edie Lawrence and Holly Isaacs
Logistics & Store – Mark Maynard and Terry Tiffin
Head of Marketing – Emma Martin
PR – Alison Duguid PR
Photography – Michael Wharley
Artwork Designer – Bob King
Photographer – Pamela Raith
Social Media Manager – Paul Jennings for Hero Social
Become part of the experience
If you are interested in being part of some of the most ambitious and exciting theatre there is and would like to have a conversation with us, please get in touch.