‘This was the 3am phone call no mother wants to receive’
One shattered promise.
A high stakes thriller.
From New York Times best-selling author Tawni O’Dell comes the powerful true story of a mother desperately trying to hold her family together after a devastating event changes the course of their lives.
Amanda Abbington (Sherlock, Mr Selfridge) will lead an ensemble cast in this electric piece of new writing that mines the depths of human courage and the resolve to survive following a shattering incident. Directed by Park Theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond, this pacy theatrical page-turner propels the audience into the heart of an unmissable drama fuelled by tears, laughter, hope and love.
Tawni O’Dell is a bestselling author on both sides of the Atlantic with titles such as Back Roads, Coal Run and Sister Mine. Her work has been translated into fifteen languages and has been published in over forty countries.
Content Warning
This production includes themes that some viewers may find distressing, please use discretion when booking and please download the content warnings here for more information.
In the press
Audience Reactions
★★★★★ ‘This heart wrenching play grips from start to finish’
The Sun
★★★★ ‘Thoughtful… funny… well-told story’
The Times
★★★★.5 ‘Show-stopping performance… impeccably executed… It shouldn’t be missed’
Daily Express
★★★★ ‘Utterly convincing… Amanda Abbington gives a shattering, laser-focused performance’
The Stage
★★★★ ‘Resilient and witty… Amanda Abbington is magnificent’
WhatsOnStage
★★★★★ ‘Sheer genius… One of the most thought-provoking, powerful, relevant pieces of theatre you will ever see!’
Mimi’s Reviews
★★★★★ ‘A performance that is totally mesmerising’
North West End
★★★★★ ‘I cannot praise this play and production too highly; I was completely gripped’
LondonTheatre1
★★★★★ ‘Intimate portrayal of a family in crisis… One to watch’
The Spy in the Stalls
★★★★★ ‘Raw, real and powerful’
Green Room Reviews
★★★★.5 ‘Masterful acting… moving writing’
A Young(ish) Perspective
★★★★.5 ‘Abbington’s performance anchors the play’
Breaking the Fourth Wall
★★★★ ‘Outstanding… One of the best performances of the year so far’
These Theatre Thoughts
★★★★ ‘Triumphant script… excellent cast… I was spellbound’
Broadway World
★★★★ ‘When It Happens to You is a powerful piece of writing that is searingly staged’
London Living Large
★★★★ ‘Spellbinding… It’s hard to overstate the power of Abbington’s performance’
Everything Theatre
★★★★ ‘Raw, riveting and revelatory… an extraordinarily powerful performance’
The Reviews Hub
★★★★ ‘Compelling and heart-breaking… A moving, heartfelt performance’
Theatre and Tonic
★★★★ ‘Remarkable… Abbington is superb’
Salterton Arts Review
‘A tremendous performance… Abbington is painfully good’
Time Out
‘An accomplished performance, with Abbington expertly balancing humour and profound sadness’
The Telegraph
Cast
TARA | AMANDA ABBINGTON
ESME | ROSIE DAY
CONNOR | MILES MOLAN
MULTIPLE ROLES | TOK STEPHEN
Download the cast biographies here.
Creative Team
WRITER | TAWNI O’DELL
DIRECTOR | JEZ BOND
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER | ZAHRA MANSOURI
LIGHTING DESIGNER | SHERRY COENEN
SOUND ARTIST & COMPOSER | MELANIE WILSON
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR | NATASHA HARRISON
PRODUCTION MANAGER | CHARLOTTE RANSON FOR ESTAGE
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | LEWIS CHAMPNEY FOR ESTAGE
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN | AL SIMPSON
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER | LUCY BARTER
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | ELSIE O’ROURKE
COSTUME SUPERVISOR | MICHELLE BRISTOW
COSTUME WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT | SAM KITTON
SET BUILDER | RICHARD MORRELL
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT | APPLAUSE FOR THOUGHT
PRODUCTION WELL-BEING PRACTITIONER | VICTORIA ABBOTT
Download the creative team biographies here.
Applause for Thought Resources
This production contains themes some viewers may find difficult, please access our support resources, created in partnership with Applause for Thought.
Working in partnership with
Morgalina Media LLC and Park Theatre present the European Premiere of
When It Happens to You
By Tawni O'Dell, Directed by Jez Bond