“I’m beginning to think that it’s the greatest sin of our time. Knowing, and pretending that we don’t know”

Winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Judith Thompson’s astonishing and much-acclaimed play about Iraq receives its London premiere in a new production directed by Jessica Swale (director of The Rivals, Southwark Playhouse and Bedlam, Shakespeare’s Globe).

In America, a disgraced female soldier defends the chaotic events that took place in Abu Ghraib prison.
In England, weapons inspector David Kelly confronts the human consequences of lies that spiralled out of control.
And in Baghdad, a mother tells the story of a country that no longer exists.

This gripping play strips away the modern myths of war to imagine three people who are all, in different ways, preparing to take their place in history…

The Rivals: 5 stars (Sunday Telegraph), 4 stars (Guardian, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Whatsonstage)

Palace of the End: “Thompson’s triptych combines the most penetrating images of the Iraq war into a compelling miniature – and it is often miniatures that come closest to perfection” The Guardian, Winner of Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award 2009

Red Handed Theatre Company presents
PALACE OF THE END
By Judith Thompson
Directed by Jessica Swale

Design Simon Kenny
Lighting Design Christopher Nairne
Sound Design Paul Bull

Cast Jade Williams, Robin Soans and Imogen Smith