A HAMPSTEAD THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE
THE LIGHTEST ELEMENT
By STELLA FEEHILY
Directed by ALICE HAMILTON
Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes without an interval
Nothing compares with being the first person in the history of the world to see something, but timing is everything. The world has to be ready for you.
Main Stage
Choose a date and select your own seats online
5 Sep - 12 Oct 2024
Box Office: 020 7722 9301
Boston, 1956. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of the most eminent astronomers of the twentieth century, is about to be appointed Chair of Astronomy and the first woman to head a Harvard department. Only two things stand in her way: a covert investigation aimed at exposing her as a communist sympathiser, and the entrenched conservatism of her male colleagues. When a student journalist asks to profile her it feels like an opportunity to control her own narrative – assuming, of course, that the invitation is actually what it seems…
Stella Feehily’s taut drama explores how challenging social norms can be almost as difficult as overturning scientific orthodoxy. Her other plays include Duck and O Go My Man (Royal Court), Dreams of Violence (Soho), and This May Hurt a Bit (Tour and St James’).
Director Alice Hamilton is Hampstead’s Associate Director, with credits including The Memory of Water, The Dumb Waiter, The Harmony Test, Out of Season, Nineteen Gardens and the Olivier Award-nominated Every Day I Make Greatness Happen.
This play was originally commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer with funds provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Mon 09 Sep | 19:30 | PREVIEW | Limited Availability | Book now | |
Tue 10 Sep | 19:30 | PREVIEW | Book now | ||
Wed 11 Sep | 19:30 | PREVIEW | Limited Availability | Book now | |
Thu 12 Sep | 19:00 | PRESS NIGHT | Sold Out | ||
Fri 13 Sep | 19:30 | Limited Availability | Book now | ||
Sat 14 Sep | 14:30 | Limited Availability | Book now | ||
Sat 14 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Mon 16 Sep | 19:30 | PATRONS EVENING, POST SHOW DISCUSSION | Book now | ||
Tue 17 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Wed 18 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 19 Sep | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 19 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Fri 20 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 21 Sep | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 21 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Mon 23 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Tue 24 Sep | 19:30 | PATRONS EVENING, POST SHOW DISCUSSION | Book now | ||
Wed 25 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 26 Sep | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 26 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Fri 27 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 28 Sep | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 28 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Mon 30 Sep | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Tue 01 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Wed 02 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 03 Oct | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 03 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Fri 04 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 05 Oct | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 05 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Mon 07 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Tue 08 Oct | 19:30 | CAPTIONED, POST SHOW DISCUSSION | Book now | ||
Wed 09 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 10 Oct | 14:30 | Book now | |||
Thu 10 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Fri 11 Oct | 19:30 | Book now | |||
Sat 12 Oct | 14:30 | AUDIO DESCRIBED | Book now | ||
Sat 12 Oct | 19:30 | Book now |
Artistic team
WRITER
STELLA FEEHILY
DIRECTOR
ALICE HAMILTON
DESIGNER
SARAH BEATON
LIGHTING DESIGNER
JOHANNA TOWN
SOUND DESIGNER
HARRY BLAKE
VIDEO DESIGNER
ZAKK HEIN
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
MICHELA MEAZZA
DIALECT
REBECCA CLARK CAREY
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
KATE HEMSTOCK
CASTING DIRECTOR
GABRIELLE DAWES CDG
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ANDY READER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
OLIVIA MUNK
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
JANE SALBERG
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
JULIA CRAMMER
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
ROMA RADFORD
Cast
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-MB.jpg)
CECILIA PAYNE-GAPOSCHKIN
MAUREEN BEATTIE
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-SC.jpg)
NORMAN / PROFESSOR VARNEY
STEFFAN CENNYDD
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-SCH.jpg)
PROFESSOR FRED WHIPPLE
SIMON CHANDLER
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-HK.jpg)
BUDD PHILIPS / PROFESSOR RICHARDSON / ENSEMBLE
HARI KANG
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-AK.jpg)
SALLY KANE
ANNIE KINGSNORTH
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-RM.jpg)
RONA STEWART
RINA MAHONEY
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-SM.jpg)
PROFESSOR SCHWENGER / ENSEMBLE
SIMON MARKEY
![](/assets/Uploads/castmembers/_resampled/FillWyIzNTAiLCIzNTAiXQ/TLE-Headshots-bw-JW.jpg)
PROFESSOR HENRY NORRIS RUSSELL / PROFESSOR FRANK CABOT
JULIAN WADHAM
Previews
Full Price: £25/£35/£45/£55
Under 30s/Students: £10
Access ½ price
Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free
Monday – Saturday
Full price: £35/£45/£55/£65
Under 30s/Students: £10
Access ½ price
Seniors*: (matinees only): £26/£36/£46/£56
Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free
*Ages 60+
All prices are subject to change. Book early for the best price.
CONTENT WARNINGS - THE LIGHTEST ELEMENT
Please note that our content warnings evolve as the production does throughout rehearsal and previews, so there may be changes made between booking and attending the theatre. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about specific themes or concerns, please call the Box Office on 020 7722 9301 or email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com