Raffish, urbane and frequently drunk, David Highland has held onto his remote coastal parish through a mix of disordered charm and high-handed determination. But when his faith compels him to take a firm stand with a bereaved parishioner, he suddenly finds himself isolated, and facing a future that threatens his family, his place in the town and everything he stands for.
Darkly funny, sharp-tongued and richly observed, The Southbury Child is a brilliantly entertaining play about grief, faith, family and the rituals that shape our lives. Beneath the wit and friction lies a deeply human story, as private loss collides with public expectation and long-held certainties begin to crack.
Blending biting humour with real emotional force, The Southbury Child is gripping, intelligent and unexpectedly moving theatre, full of personality, tension and the messy truths of modern community life.
Strong language
Parental bereavement
Racism
Family breakdown
Child funeral
2 hours 30 minutes