Les Parents Terribles

Trafalgar Studios 2, 14 Whitehall, London

Les Parents Terribles is set in a bohemian household in 1930s Paris. When Michael declares his love for a girl, his devoted mother burns with jealousy while his father is shocked to discover that his son's lover is someone he knows only too well.

Jean Cocteau, who wrote Les Parents Terribles, was a prolific playwright, novelist, poet, artist and film-maker who was at the forefront of the Surrealist movement. His other work for the stage includes La Voix Humaine, Le Bel Indifferent, Orphee and La Machine A Ecrire.

Les Parents Terribles is staged as part of Donmar Trafalgar, a new initiative giving recent graduates of the Donmar Warehouse’s Resident Assistant Director (RAD) scheme the chance to stage their own production.

Chris Rolls, who was part of the RAD scheme in 2005, directs Les Parents Terribles. His other directing credits include Blurt Master Constable (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Beaver Coat (Finborough theatre) and Under The Earth (BAC).

The cast of Les Parents Terribles includes West End star Frances Barber, who recently appeared in the RSC productions of The Seagull and King Lear at the New London theatre and Madame De Sade at the Wyndham's theatre.

For more about Les Parents Terribles at the Trafalgar Studios read Direct to the West End.

Cast & CreativesEXPAND

cast: Frances Barber, Tom Byam Shaw, Anthony Calf, Elaine Cassidy, Sylvestra Le Touzel

author: Jean Cocteau

translated by: Jeremy Sams

director: Chris Rolls

producer: Donmar Warehouse

Ticket Prices:
£17.50

About the show
  • Age Suitability: General
  • Genre: Play
  • Sub-Genre: Play-Drama
  • Show Times: Mon-Sat 19:45 (29 Nov 19:00), Mats Thu & Sat 15:00
  • opening night:
  • Box Office:
    0844 871 7632
  • Visit the Show Website

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Venue InformationHIDE

Trafalgar Studios 2
14 Whitehall, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 2DY

  • Nearest tube: Charing Cross
  • Nearest bus: 3, 9, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 153, 159
  • Nearest train: Charing Cross
  • Parking: Westminter City Council car park in Trafalgar Square. NCP at Bedfordbury (approx. 500m).
  • Air conditioned: 0
  • Download an Enabled Map

Venue Access InformationEXPAND

  • How to book: TEL 0871 297 5477 FAX 020 7321 5407 MINICOM 020 7369 1762 EMAIL ticketcentre@newambassadors.com
  • Telephones: Charing Cross/Embankment (approx. 500m)
  • Discounts: Discounts available for disabled customers.
  • Limited mobility: Leg room is generally good with extra space on the front row and on the side aisle of row E.
  • Access description: One shallow step up from the street through double swing doors into the foyer. Box Office opposite. All staircases have handrails and steps are highlighted. 25 steps down then up 10 steps in to the auditorium (3 steps between rows). Theatre opens 1 hour before performance.
  • Hearing impaired: Infrared system in the auditorium with 16 headsets, available from the box office with a deposit. Check with Box Office which seats in the auditorium have best reception.
  • Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are allowed inside the auditorium by prior arrangement with the theatre, alternatively staff are happy to dog-sit. You will be seated in an aisle seat.
  • Wheelchairs: No spaces for people who need to remain in their wheelchairs. Transfer seating is available to Row A (3 spaces) and K (1 space). Access to Row A is through the Stalls Bar and Row K is up 14 steps. Wheelchair users must bring 2 people to help with the steps. The theatre can store a maximum of 3 wheelchairs per performance. Venue is not suitable for scooters.
  • Toilets: 22 steps up from the foyer to women’s and men’s. More toilets off the Stalls Bar.
  • Disabled toilets: No adapted WC.
  • Bars: Foyer bar next to the Box Office. 25 steps to Stalls Bar (spacious, few seats). Drinks can be brought to disabled customers in the auditorium upon request.