Duration
2 hrs
Closing Date
Until November 22, 2025
Age limit
Suitable for 12+ yrs
Why Watch Clarkston?
- Joe Locke’s West End debut injects this intimate play with screen‑fresh sensitivity, bringing the nuance that earned him Emmy and WhatsOnStage nominations (Heartstopper, Sweeney Todd) to Trafalgar’s close‑quarters stage.
- Clarkston combines Samuel D. Hunter’s intimate storytelling with Joe Locke’s West End debut — a quietly powerful journey of connection and self‑discovery. Audiences seeking emotional depth and character‑driven drama will find resonance in this American parable.
- Written by the award‑winning playwright behind The Whale (adapted for the Oscars), with direction from Jack Serio, a Drama Desk and Obie winner. His recent staging of Uncle Vanya earned critical acclaim stateside.
- A remote Costco night shift in rural America comes alive under precise design. Milla Clarke’s set and Stacey Derosier’s lighting evoke both isolation and warmth, highlighting themes of friendship and belonging.
- A strictly limited nine-week season in Trafalgar’s 630‑seat auditorium creates tight demand, so book your Clarkston London tickets for a rare West End event that feels fragile yet immediate.
Joe Locke, a breakout star of Heartstopper and Agatha All Along, makes his West End debut in Clarkston, the UK premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s moving play. The production also features Ruaridh Mollica (BIFA‑nominated) and Evening Standard nominee Sophie Melville from Iphigenia in Splott. Directed by Jack Serio, the play delivers emotional subtleties with no interval over a tight 90‑minute run. Hunter’s prior work, including The Whale, received prestigious accolades for its honesty and humanity. Clarke’s set and Derosier’s lighting design elevate an everyday setting into poetic realism, guiding the audience to dwell on themes of lost potential, queerness, and renewal. Premiering at the Dallas Theater Center in 2015, the play earned the New Play Award from the Edgerton Foundation before making its way to Trafalgar Theatre this autumn .
Storyline
Clarkston unfolds in a sparse cropland at the edge of the American frontier. Chris works the graveyard shift at a Costco in rural Idaho when Jake arrives — a traveller searching for hope and renewal. As late-night aisles become their backdrop, an unexpected bond forms. The characters wrestle with fear, belonging, and possibility without sentimentality.
This thoughtful drama explores queerness and longing in overlooked corners of the world. It doesn’t race toward resolution — instead it invites introspection through unfinished conversations and gentle revelations. The story hints at what might come after: will Jake stay, leave, or do both? Only Clarkston London tickets reveal what lies beyond the checkout.
Show timings
Show timings for Clarkston may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Leading roles: Joe Locke as Jake; Ruaridh Mollica as Chris; Sophie Melville as Trisha
Director: Jack Serio
Producers: Craig Balsam, Patrick Catullo, Daniel Neale
Playwright: Samuel D. Hunter
Set designer: Milla Clarke
Costume designer: Milla Clarke
Lighting designer: Stacey Derosier
Sound designer: George Dennis
Casting Director: Stuart Burt
Dramaturg: John Baker
Age Suitability
This show is suitable for ages 12 and above.
Content warning: Includes references to suicide and discussion of mental health struggles, including grief and self-harm, drug addiction, terminal illness and mplied sexual content. Audience discretion is advised.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Most theatres are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
Trafalgar Theatre
The Trafalgar Theatre, formerly known as the Whitehall Theatre, first opened in 1930 and retains its striking Art Deco design. Over the decades it became home to political satires, West End revues, and later hosted acclaimed shows like Jersey Boys and End of the Rainbow. Following a careful restoration, the theater reopened in 2021 as a single-auditorium venue, continuing its legacy of presenting bold and conversation-starting productions. Today, it stands at the heart of Whitehall as a destination for theater that blends history with contemporary flair. The Trafalgar Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Getting There
- Address: 14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY, UK
- By metro:
The Charing Cross and Embankment stations are both within a 5-minute walking distance and accessible by southeastern and Bakerloo lines.
- By bus:
Take the 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 139, 159, or 453 buses to Trafalgar Square, a few steps away from the theater.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Cloak room, Toilets
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
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Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of the tickets starts from £50 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 12 and above due to mature themes.
The show is playing at Trafalgar Theatre in London.
Clarkston is a tender, quietly powerful play about two young men—Chris and Jake—who meet while working at a Costco in rural Idaho. Wrestling with grief, purpose, and identity, their unexpected connection opens a window into the American heartland and the human need for meaning and belonging.
The running time is 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission.
The main stars of the show are Joe Locke starring as Chris and Ruaridh Mollica playing the role of Jake. The cast also includes Sophie Melville as Chris’s mother.
The show runs from 17 September 2025 to 22 November 2025 at Trafalgar Theatre.
Joe Locke will not perform on Saturday 1 November 2025 at 7:30 pm. Check specific dates before booking.
No, but the play draws inspiration from real American towns and the personal struggles faced by people in rural communities. It’s part of a trilogy by Samuel D. Hunter exploring themes of faith, isolation, and connection.
No, the performance runs straight through with no interval.
No, photography and recording during the show are strictly prohibited.
It may be suitable for older teens aged 12+, but due to mature content including references to addiction and mental health, parental discretion is advised.
Yes. An audio-described performance is scheduled for 14 October and a captioned performance on 15 October, both at 7:30 pm.
