birthday by Joe Penhall
‘- Men can take the pain
- No you can’t, that’s just the myth they sell you.’
22 June – 4 August 2012 at the Royal Court Theatre, London
Birthday a new play by Joe Penhall
Lisa and Ed are having another baby. Determined to do things differently this time, it’s proving a bumpy ride. This is a whole new birth plan.
Joe Penhall’s audacious new play arrives at the Royal Court kicking and screaming.
Watch the video trailer:
Stephen Mangan - whose best known for his roles in tv’s Green Wing and Episodes – takes on the role of Ed. Lisa Dillon who appeared in BBC’s Cranford plays his wife Lisa.
Written by Joe Penhall after the birth of his own child, Birthday is a hilarious new play that places the expectant father centre stage and explores the lows and highs of giving birth.
Joe Penhall’s previous work includes Blue/Orange and Landscape with Weapon at the National Theatre and for film he most recently adapted The Road by Cormac McCarthy. He also wrote the screenplay for Enduring Love and wrote the BBC 2 detective series Moses Jones.
Roger Michell directs. His work includes Omnibus, Persuasion, The Buddha of Suburbia, Downtown Lagos for television and his films include Morning Glory, Venus, Enduring Love, Changing Lanes and Notting Hill.

Mon – Sat 7.30pm
Sat matinees from 30 June 2.30pm
Thu matinees 19, 26 July and 2 August 2.30pm
To book www.royalcourttheatre.com
Tickets £28, £20, £12 (no booking fee)
020 7565 5000
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS
Transport: directly next to Sloane Square tube or 10 minutes walk from Victoria train station