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People, Places and Things Tickets

4.8 
156 reviews
Trafalgar TheatreLondon
Emma was having the time of her life. Now she’s in rehab

This production is recommended for ages 14+.

Running until 10 August 2024

Trafalgar Theatre

Run time 2hrs 30mins (inc. interval)

Includes interval

Top Rated Show

Reviewers highly rate this show

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People, Places and Things London tickets

Following its critically acclaimed world premiere at the National Theatre, and award-winning runs in the West End and New York, People, Places and Things makes its much-anticipated return to the capital this summer. Playing at Trafalgar Theatre for a strictly limited 16-week run, don’t miss your chance to see this ‘extraordinary’ (The Observer), ‘ingenious’ (New York Times) and ‘stunning’ (Time Out) play.

What is People, Places and Things about?

An intoxicating play on the futility of striving for truth and surviving in the modern world. Meet Emma, a struggling actress whose life is spinning recklessly out of control. She was having the time of her life, euphoric in blacked out bliss. Now she’s in rehab, and her newfound reality is as painful as it is sobering.

The dark and deeply emotional play follows a young woman as she begins her journey to peace and rehabilitation. Her first step is to admit that she has a problem. But the problem isn’t with substances, it’s with the substance of her life. She needs to tell the truth to those who think they know best. But she’s smart enough to know that there’s no such thing.

When intoxication feels like the only way to survive the modern world, how can she ever sober up?

A theatrical tour-de-force that evokes the vivid and disorienting world of intoxication and lies. Emma must decide whether she should fight for her recovery and the people, places, and things she’ll face there, or if she should escape back into her own version of reality.

Facts and critical acclaim

  • Denise Gough picked up the Best Actress Olivier and Critics’ Circle Theatre award for her ‘career defining’ performance as Emma.
  • The critically acclaimed show earned a host of five-star reviews, and was nominated for 4 Olivier awards, 2 WhatsOnStage Awards, 6 Drama Desk Awards.
  • Following its success at the National Theatre, the award-winning production transferred to New York via London’s West End.

Please bear in mind.

This production is recommended for ages 14+.

People, Places and Things cast

Main cast

  • Emma – Denise Gough
  • Mum/Doctor/Therapist – Sinéad Cusack
  • Shaun – Ryan Hutton
  • Mark – Malachi Kirby
  • Foster – Danny Kirrane
  • Dad/Paul – Kevin McMonagle

People, Places and Things creatives

  • Book – Duncan Macmillan
  • Director – Jeremy Herrin
  • Set Design – Bunny Christie
  • Costume Design – Christina Cunningham
  • Lighting Design – James Farncombe
  • Music – Matthew Herbert
  • Sound Design – Tom Gibbons
  • Video Design – Andrzej Goulding
  • Movement Director – Polly Bennett
  • Casting Director - Jessica Ronane CDG CSA

Age restriction

This production is recommended for ages 14+.

Running time

2hrs 30mins (inc. interval)

Performance dates

3 May 2024 - 10 August 2024

Special notes

Contains strong language and themes of addiction, depictions of substance abuse, and references to suicide. Strobe lighting effects and the smoking of herbal cigarettes will be used.

Access

Captioned Performance: 6 July at 2.30pm, 16 July at 7.30pm. Audio Described Performance: 13 July at 2.30pm , 25 July at 7.30pm, BSL Signed performance: 20 July at 2.30pm

Venue Information

Trafalgar Theatre
14 WhitehallLondonSW1A 2DY

Group Pricing

Special pricing for groups of 10 or moreCheck our group prices and save!

Recent Reviews

4.8
156 reviews

Latest People, Places and Things News

Review Roundup: What are the critics saying about People, Places and Things?

News / Productions / Reviews / New Shows + Transfers

Review Roundup: What are the critics saying about People, Places and Things?

The Olivier award winning production has returned to the West End for it’s third stint in the capital! Opening at the National Theatre nine years ago, the pulse-pounding production was an instant hit, receiving a host of 5-star reviews, in addition to a Critics’ Circle Theatre and Olivier award for its star Denise Gough. Following a sold-out transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, the show then went to Broadway where it received six Drama Desk Awards nominations. The New York Times praised it’s leading lady, saying ‘Denise Gough makes a spectacular New York stage debut conveying the character’s colossal degradation and silverfish cunning.’ But how does the latest run of Duncan Macmillan’s play fair? 

15 May, 2024 | By Sian McBride

People, Places and New Production Shots

News / Productions / Photos

People, Places and New Production Shots

Following a critically acclaimed stint in Broadway, and two award-winning sold out runs in the West End, People, Places and Things finally checked into Trafalgar Theatre last Friday (3 May 2024)! And, if these striking new production shots are anything to go by, our patience for the patients return has more than paid off!

9 May, 2024 | By Sian McBride

What’s opening in London theatres this month? (May 2024)Spotlight on Denise Gough

News / Features / New Shows + Transfers

Spotlight on Denise Gough

After seven years, Denise Gough makes her long awaited return to the West End stage!

The Olivier award winning actress made her debut exactly two decades ago, starring alongside Oscar winner Holly Hunter in By the Bog of Cats at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. Twenty years later the critically acclaimed Irish actor has picked up a hefty collection of awards herself, and has become a certified star of stage and screen.

This spring will mark Gough’s fourth stint in People, Places and Things, checking in to her ‘career changing’ role for a strictly limited 14 week run at Trafalgar Theatre. Her highly praised central performance as Emma was hailed ‘explosive and fearless’ ‘awe-inspiring’ and ‘powerful, provocative, thrilling’ by the critics during the inaugural run back in 2015.

This may be the fourth incarnation of her award-winning role, but she is anything but a one trick pony. Her performances outside of the rehab have earned her an Olivier award and Tony nomination, and have seen her portray a sultry science teacher, a grief-stricken twin and a crossdressing 19th century French aristocrat! Here are just some of our favourite roles.

16 Mar, 2024 | By Sian McBride

Review: A Five Star Run At The Wyndham's Theatre For People, Places & Things

Reviews / Features

Review: A Five Star Run At The Wyndham's Theatre For People, Places & Things

People, Places & Things is another successful west end transfer from the ever brilliant National Theatre. The play had a sell out run at the Dorfman Theatre in the South Bank complex and is now enjoying a five star run at the Wyndham’s Theatre.

19 Apr, 2016 | By Harrison Fuller

White walls. Bright lights. Short sentences. When Does "Stylistic" Become Self-Indulgent?

Features

White walls. Bright lights. Short sentences. When Does "Stylistic" Become Self-Indulgent?

“Stylistic” is a word used to describe, seemingly, most shows at the moment. But is it necessarily a good thing? I love seeing shows with a unique style but, sometimes, “stylistic” comes across as little more than self-indulgent. I mean, how many shows use the “unique” idea of invasive, bright lighting, and abstract perspectives?

18 Apr, 2016 | By Harriet Wilson

Review: People, Places & Things At The Wyndham's Theatre

Reviews / Features

Review: People, Places & Things At The Wyndham's Theatre

People, Places & Things, playing at the Wyndham's Theatre until the 4th June 2016, is a stylistic, flawlessly-performed production that exceeded my expectations. Whilst fairly intense, a well-balanced touch of humour stopped the show from being overbearing, creating an overall enjoyable piece of theatre.

4 Apr, 2016 | By Harriet Wilson

In Praise Of... Unreserved Seating

Features

In Praise Of... Unreserved Seating

I am aware some will look at this headline with confusion, maybe even repulsion but I can explain. Unreserved seating isn’t just about spoiling your pre-theatre bar time but about a fair ticketing system that allows friends to book separately and the over organised (or those with the sharpest elbows) to triumph. I look at the many pros, the occasional con that is unreserved seating.

19 Mar, 2016 | By Shanine Salmon

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