

Oil
Past Show - Season 2022
05 Nov - 27 Nov
Heath Ledger Theatre
The time travelling story of mother May and her daughter Amy as they navigate a shifting world.
Oil
How do we manage our finite resources? Is there any resource more infinite than love?
From the stage of London’s Almeida Theatre hails this epic, explosive play about empire, history, and motherhood as it charts the lifespan of one of our most precious commodities. Starring Hayley McElhinney (Doctor Doctor, The Cherry Orchard) with a formidable ensemble of actors under the direction of Adam Mitchell (When the Rain Stops Falling, Every Brilliant Thing), Oil is an exciting and relevant new work for our time and place.
1886, Cornwall, a family are preparing for dinner by candlelight. A salesman arrives at their farm to demonstrate a wonderful new discovery - the kerosene lamp. The age of oil is beginning.
Spanning 160 years and traversing the globe through Tehran, Hampstead, Baghdad, and then back to Cornwall, Oil is the time travelling story of mother May and her daughter Amy as they navigate a shifting world.
“Oil is everything great theatre should be; ambitious, exciting, and brimming with heart. It takes us on a journey of big ideas in the search for light. It’s the kind of play that comes about once in a decade.” Adam Mitchell, Director.
Dates
05 Nov - 27 Nov
Venue
Heath Ledger Theatre
Duration
2 hrs 45 minutes (including interval)
Content Warning
Adult themes, sexual intimidation, coarse language, depictions of sexual scenes, use of herbal cigarettes, haze, racism, islamophobia and use of stage firearms.
Wheelchair accessible venue
Use the calendar below to view the dates of accessibility services available for this production. Further access information and seat guides can be found via the Accessibility Page.
Media
Artists

Michael Abercromby
Cast
Violette Ayad
Cast
Will Bastow
Cast

Grace Chow
Cast
St John Cowcher
Cast

Polly Low
Cast
Tinashe Mangwana
Cast

Hayley McElhinney
Cast
Abbey Morgan
Cast

Will O’Mahony
Cast
Ella Hickson
Writer

Adam Mitchell
Director
Scott McArdle
Assistant Director

Zoë Atkinson
Set & Costume Designer

Matthew Marshall
Lighting Designer

Melanie Robinson
Composer & Sound Designer

Jean Goodwin
Vocal Coach
Sue Fenty
Stage Manager
Erin Coubrough
Assistant Stage Manager
Annabelle Rossi
Assistant Stage Manager
Program
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