Royal Court Theatre and Playful Productions present The Unbelievers

Written by Nick Payne. Directed by Marianne Elliott 
–

The show

‘I love my son. My son is alive.’  

A teenager disappears. Time fractures. His mother will never give up hope.  

The Unbelievers is a new play about the moments that shatter our world, and the ones that help us piece it back together.  

Playwright Nick Payne (Constellations, We Live in Time) returns to the Royal Court with a startling portrait of motherhood, faith, family – and the lengths we go to for those we refuse to forget.

Directed by Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America), designed by Bunny Christie (Company, People Places and Things) and starring Nicola Walker (Unforgotten, The Split).

'Hypnotic and affecting... nobody does it better than Nicola Walker'

'Walker gives the performance of her career... often savagely hilarious'

'Blisteringly good... the Royal Court, the country’s premier new writing theatre, is finding its rhythm once again'

'Nick Payne's new play is amongst his best... compelling, powerfully performed... a thing of wonder'

'Walker is magnificent... implications ripple outward like a stone in a pond, or a nuclear explosion'

The Mirror

'Magnetic... Nicola Walker astonishes'

Image gallery

Rehearsal photos | Brinkhoff Moegenburg

Image gallery

Production images | Brinkhoff Moegenburg

Talks & events

The company

Cast

  • Nicola Walker

    Pronouns
    She/Her
    Role
    Cast

  • Alby Baldwin

    Pronouns
    They/Them
    Role
    Cast

  • Jaz Singh Deol

    Pronouns
    He/Him

  • Paul Higgins

    Pronouns
    He/Him
    Role
    Cast

  • Ella Lily Hyland

    Pronouns
    She/Her
    Role
    Cast

  • Martin Marquez

    Pronouns
    He/Him
    Role
    Cast

  • Harry Kershaw

    Pronouns
    He/Him
    Role
    Cast

  • Lucy Thackeray

    Pronouns
    She/Her
    Role
    Cast

  • Isabel Adomakoh Young

    Pronouns
    She/They
    Role
    Cast

Contact list of staff members

  • Nick Payne

    Role
    Writer

  • Marianne Elliott

    Role
    Director

  • Bunny Christie

    Role
    Designer

  • Jack Knowles

    Role
    Lighting Designer

  • Nicola T. Chang

    Role
    Composer & Sound Designer

  • Etta Murfitt

    Role
    Movement Director

  • Charlotte Sutton CDG

    Role
    Casting Director

  • Saffeya Shebli

    Role
    Casting Associate

  • Verity Sadler

    Role
    Design Associate

  • Anna Hampton

    Role
    Assistant Director

  • Lily Mollgaard

    Role
    Props Supervisor

  • Hazel Holder

    Role
    Voice

  • Zara Drohan

    Pronouns
    she/her
    Role
    Production Manager

  • Lucy Walshaw

    Pronouns
    she/her
    Role
    Costume Supervisor

  • Mica Taylor

    Role
    Company Manager

  • Hannah Lyall

    Pronouns
    she/her
    Role
    Lead Producer

  • Steven Atkinson

    Role
    Executive Producer

Booking information

Tickets: £15 - £64.50

Concessions available for Student, Under 25s, Over 65s, Members of Equity, BECTU, SDUK, WGGB and Unwaged individuals on certain performances.

Monday Tickets:

Monday Tickets at the Royal Court have been legendary since 1979. Every Monday, all tickets are just £15 in both the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs and Upstairs. 

Ticket FAQs

Can I get a refund or exchange my ticket?

Refunds are only offered if a performance is cancelled.

If you can’t attend, we can offer:

  • An exchange to another performance
  • A credit voucher valid for 1 year

Just let us know at least 48 hours before the show. 

We do not offer partial refunds. If your chosen price band is sold out for the new date, we’ll match you to the closest available band instead. 

Ticket Resale & Reissue

If a show has sold out: 

  • We’re happy to try and resell your tickets (once all other house tickets are gone)
  • If we’re successful, you’ll be issued credit valid for 1 year
  • Tickets can’t be resold via unauthorised third-party sellers 

Tickets transferred or sold via unauthorised channels may be cancelled without refund, and any Royal Court memberships may be revoked. 

Ticket Delivery
  • We use e-tickets - show them on your phone or tablet
  • Don’t have a device or printer? Let Box Office staff know when you arrive, and we’ll help 
Age Guidance

Most shows are suitable for ages 14+, though some may have a higher recommendation. Check the individual production page for guidance. 

Fees & Charges
  • No booking fees on e-tickets booked directly through us
  • All tickets include a £1.50 restoration levy, supporting essential maintenance and upkeep
  • Tickets sold for other venues (e.g. West End transfers) may include a booking fee
  • Third-party agents may charge additional fees 
Your Visit: Theatre Terms

The management reserves the right to: 

  • Refuse admission or ask audience members to leave
  • Deny latecomers entry or delay it until an appropriate break
  • Cancel performances due to cast illness or external issues (without liability beyond a refund or exchange)
  • Note that trigger warnings and content advisories are listed online and emailed to bookers ahead of the show 

Access

Access Performances 

BSL Interpreted: Tue 4 Nov, 7.30pm   

Captioned: Sat 8 Nov, 1.30pm 

Audio Described: Sat 15 Nov, 1.30pm with a touch tour at 12pm  

Chilled: Sat 29 Nov, 1.30pm 

View Full Access Performance Calendar

View Calendar

Dates & times

£15 Mondays

Monday Tickets at the Royal Court have been legendary since 1979. Every Monday, all tickets are just £15. Available to book from 9am on the day of the show. Subject to availability. Online only.

Online booking for this event opens at 09:00 on the day of the performance. For priority booking please log in to your account.

If you are a Supporter, Royal Court Friend, or have been emailed by the theatre regarding access to priority booking then please log in to your account and return to this page.


Once you have completed your purchase, log in and return to this page to access the sales screen for this event.