The Children's Hour Tickets

The team bringing “The Children’s Hour” to the stage is one that is certain to have people flocking to pick up theatre tickets as soon as possible. Not only does it contain two stars of the screen in lead roles, it also features two previous Laurence Olivier Award nominees onstage and behind the scenes, making it something to keep an eye on as it runs at the Comedy Theatre in 2011. Amongst those appearing in the production is the Hollywood star Keira Knightley and she will be starring alongside Elisabeth Moss as the two owners of a 1930s New England boarding school.

Knightley is also one of the Laurence Olivier Award-nominees working on the show, having earned the honour in 2010 for her appearance in “The Misanthrope” – also at the Comedy Theatre. It was her West End debut and ensures that audiences will be keeping an eye on her as she makes her way back to the venue in 2011. The other nominee is director Ian Rickson, who earned the honour for his directing duties on the Royal Court and West End hit “Jerusalem”. So it will be a chance for London theatre audiences to witness some acclaimed talents working to bring Lillian Hellman’s play to the stage.

The story focuses on the characters portrayed by Knightly and Moss, who take the forms of boarding school owners Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. They have worked hard to set up the institution in 1930s New England and are horrified when events transpire to undo it all. Mary, a troubled young girl, hates the school that she attends and will do anything to avoid having to return. So she concocts a story that will not only set her free, but also put Karen and Martha’s project into jeopardy, causing great trouble for everyone concerned.

Elisabeth Moss is an American actress who arrives at the Comedy Theatre to make her own West End debut. She has previously appeared in a Broadway version of “Speed-the-Plow”, though she has made a name for herself on American television, where audiences may recognise her from shows such as “The West Wing”, “Grey’s Anatomy” or, more recently, “Mad Men”.

With “Birdsong” set to continue at the West End venue until January, “The Children’s Hour” appears at the Comedy Theatre in time to join shows like “Love Story” and “Blithe Spirit” in the West End in 2011. It runs at the theatre from Wednesday 9th February 2011 (previews from Saturday 22nd January 2011) to Saturday 2nd April 2011.