Drama on 3: The Son

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Series of drama performances, ranging from experimental works to the Classics

The Son

BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, The Son

Florian Zeller’s powerful drama about parenthood and the impact of mental illness.

With Laurie Kynaston, Joseph Millson and Nicola Walker, Florian Zeller’s powerful drama about parenthood explores the impact of mental illness on an already fractured family.

Starring Laurie Kynaston, Joseph Millson and Nicola Walker, in a translation by Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller’s timely play about parenthood explores the impact of mental illness on an already fractured family.

Pierre is about to realise a career dream and has a new baby with his second wife Sofia.  Into this picture of family happiness walks his son, Nicolas, by his first wife, Anne. Nicolas has been struggling with depression, has fallen out with his mum and thinks coming to live with his dad will help him get back on track. 

It’s not long before past and present collide, reawakening resentments and painful memories. It’s a play that compels its characters to question whether love is enough to rescue those closest to you.


Nicolas ….. Laurie Kynaston
Pierre ….. Joseph Millson
Anne ….. Nicola Walker
Sofia ….. Cecilia Appiah
Doctor ….. Carl Prekopp
Nurse ….. Ian Dunnett Jnr

Directed by Gemma Jenkins

The production will be introduced by its translator, Sir Christopher Hampton. Christopher translated the two earlier plays in Florian Zeller’s trilogy, ‘The Father’ and ‘The Mother’, both of which have been given productions for Drama on 3.

Laurie Kynaston played the title role of Nicolas to great acclaim in the stage production at the Duke of York's Theatre, London, for which he received the 2019 Evening Standard Award for Best Emerging Talent.

Press accolades for the original stage production in 2018 include:
'One of the finest plays of the past decade' Sunday Express
'This final part of Florian Zeller's trilogy is the most powerful of all' The Times
'Compulsive, involving, emotionally stirring - theatre's answer to a page-turner' The Observer
'A devastating visceral impact' The Daily Telegraph

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