NT : What's On : Productions : Humble Boy
Humble Boy
Charlotte Jones (2001)
World première of a new play
A comedy about broken vows, failed hopes and the joys of beekeeping.
All is not well in the Humble hive. Thirty five year old Felix Humble (Simon Russell Beale) is a Cambridge astro-physicist in search of a unified field theory. Following the sudden death of his father, he returns to his middle England home and his difficult and demanding mother (Diana Rigg), where he soon realises that his search for unity must include his own chaotic home life.
This is Charlotte Jones' first play at the National. Her previous work includes In Flame, at the Bush and New Ambassadors.
John Caird's production of Hamlet has recently completed a major international tour and sell-out run at the National.
Running time is 2 hours and 20 minutes
Audio-described performance on 30 November at 7.30pm, and 1 December at 2.30pm.
Final performance on 6 December
Humble Beginnings, a complete behind-the-scenes account of this production, is available from our BookshopThe text for this play is available from the National's Bookshop.
Cast credits:
: Cathryn Bradshaw
: Denis Quilley
: Diana Rigg
: Marcia Warren
: Simon Russell Beale
: William Gaunt
Production credits:
Director: John Caird
Designer: Tim Hatley
Lighting Designer: Paul Pyant
Music: Joe Cutler
Sound Designer: Christopher Shutt
Humble Boy finished on: 6 December 2001
