by CHIARA ATIK
directed by BLANCHE McINTYRE
★★★★★ “Clever, witty” West End Best Friend
★★★★★ “A powerful yet witty reflection on privilege and poverty.” Richmond Nub News
★★★★★ “Freddy Carter gives a lovely performance” Curtain Call Reviews
★★★★ “A sassy spin on a medieval saint … an immaculate stage debut from (Arsema) Thomas” The Guardian
★★★★ “A superbly subversive satire” The Stage
★★★★ “Poor Clare is both timely and timeless” WhatsOnStage
★★★★ “Genuinely funny, deeply moving and fearlessly discomforting.” The Arts Desk
★★★★ “Briskly paced and perceptive production” London Theatre 1
★★★★ “A very funny, very pertinent play” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “A bold and funny exploration of privilege, purpose, and radical change” All That Dazzles
“I’m still going to like, do charity, probably even more than I do now.”
Clare has it all. She’s a super-rich noblewoman living her best life in medieval Assisi, trying out hairstyles, and sharing the latest gossip with her sister and maids.
Everything is on track for her to marry some super-rich nobleman and live super-richly ever after. But on the streets of Assisi, she meets Francis, who’s sharing some of the wildest ideas Clare has ever heard. And when she listens to what he has to say, her eyes are opened to a whole new way of living.
Arsema Thomas, star of Netflix’s hit Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte, makes her stage debut, alongside Freddy Carter (Shadow and Bone – Netflix) in this hilarious and off-beat comedy inspired by the stories of Saint Clare and Saint Francis of Assisi.
Chiara Atik’s comedy was winner of the 2022 American Theatre Critics Association’s New Play Award, the LA Drama Critics Circle winner for Best New Play, and was a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist. Blanche McIntyre is a regular director at the National Theatre, RSC and Shakespeare’s Globe, and a past winner of a Critics’ Circle Award and UK Theatre Award.
On Stage
In Rehearsals
Rehearsal and production photography © Ellie Kurttz
Show Info
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Mon – Sat 7.30pm
Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 17 July)
CONTENT ADVICE
This production contains some strong language.
Our content warnings are updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please note they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production.
Members’ and Patrons’ Evening with Post-Show Talk
Tue 22 July
Booking is open exclusively to all our Members and Patrons. Membership starts at £60pa and supports the OT to create our ambitious programme of artistic and community work. These evenings are a chance to mingle with fellow Members and Patrons, meet the OT staff, and hear from the cast and creative team of the production.
OT Under 30 Night
Fri 25 July
On OT Under 30 Nights, enjoy a FREE DRINK and POST-SHOW TALK all included with your £15 ticket.
Post-show discussion led by the OT
Thursday matinees
Admission is free with your ticket to the performance.
Audio Described performance
Wed 6 Aug, 7:30pm
Captioned performance
Tue 5 Aug, 7:30pm
Relaxed & Distanced performance
Tue 29 July, 2:30pm
To book accessible seats, and for audio described and captioned, please call the box office on 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm) or email
box.office@orangetreetheatre.co.uk. If you’re on our Access List, you can log in and book online.
TICKET PRICES
No booking fees. Prices increase based on demand. Book early to secure your seats at the best prices.
£15 tickets for Under 30s on all seats for all performances – subject to availability and exclusions.
£15 access tickets – find out more
£15 tickets available for members of theatre unions and guilds
£1 tickets available through our subsidised ticket scheme – find out more
Cast
Francis
Freddy Carter
Beatrice
Anushka Chakravarti
Ortolana
Hermione Gulliford
Peppa
Liz Kettle
Beggar / The Poor
George Ormerod
Clare
Arsema Thomas
Alma
Jacoba Williams
Creative Team
Chiara Atik
Writer
Blanche McIntyre
Director
Eleanor Bull
Set and Costume Designer
Oliver Fenwick
Lighting Designer
George Dennis
Sound Designer
Annelie Powell CDG
Casting Director
Esther Fernández Guerra
Assistant Director
Isobel Pellow
Costume Supervisor
Chris Smyth
Wigs and Hair Supervisor
Jennifer Wright
Design Mentee
Jill Standish
Deputy Stage Manager
Phoebe Butcher
Assistant Stage Manager
Amelia Mehta
Stage Management Intern