Duration
2 hrs with interval
Closing Date
Until January 24, 2027
Age requirement
Suitable for 14+ yrs
Why Watch The Animals Come To The Table?
- What if the natural world could speak for itself? This bold new London play lets animals demand justice from humanity in a witty, thought-provoking showdown.
- Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, one of the UK’s most acclaimed playwrights (Our Country’s Good), whose works are studied and performed worldwide.
- Expect a blend of politics, philosophy, and mischief as a chicken, rat, and snow leopard join forces to challenge human exploitation and ecological destruction.
- Premiering in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, this limited-run event is a theatrical experiment critics are calling “funny, furious, and unsettling”—book your tickets now.
What would happen if nature finally answered back? The Animals Come To The Table is a world premiere play by Timberlake Wertenbaker, celebrated for Our Country’s Good and other globally performed works. Staged in London’s intimate Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, this genre-bending play brings together politics, wit, and philosophy as animals confront humanity over exploitation and ecological destruction. With a chicken, rat, and snow leopard leading the charge, the show is a bold, mischievous experiment in empathy and perspective. If you’re searching for The Animals Come To The Table London tickets, this is your chance to witness a theatrical first.
Storyline
When the lights go out, the animals arrive. A negotiator and interpreter are summoned to a secret meeting, only to find themselves face-to-face with a chicken, a rat, a snow leopard, and a chorus of voices from the natural world. The animals demand an end to exploitation and ecological destruction, forcing humanity to answer for its actions. Will this extraordinary negotiation lead to reconciliation or reveal deeper divides? The outcome is anyone’s guess.
Show timings
Show timings for The Animals Come To The Table may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Leading roles: Annette Badland as Bea, Alex Young as Anna, Simon Manyonda as Tony, Finbar Lynch as Percy, Olivier Huband as Pan, and Lydia Larson as Maude
Writer: Timberlake Wertenbaker
Director: Anthony Lau
Assistant Director: Sofia Gallucci
Designer: Georgia Lowe
Candlelight Designer: Elliot Griggs
Composer: Asaf Zohar
Movement Director: Aline David
Voice Coach: Adam Wallis
Casting Director: Becky Paris CDG
Casting Associate: Alice Walters
Age Suitability
This show is recommended for ages 14 and above. Children under 3 are not permitted. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, and cannot be sat separately.
Content warning: This production contains mature themes and references to sexual violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
Age recommendations are provided as guidelines. Please use your discretion when deciding if the show is suitable for your party.
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is an intimate, candlelit theatre nestled within Shakespeare’s Globe complex. Modelled after Jacobean indoor playhouses, it offers a unique setting for classic and contemporary works, with its wooden galleries and hand-painted ceiling creating a warm, immersive atmosphere. The venue has hosted acclaimed productions, including Three Sisters, and is renowned for its atmospheric lighting and close connection between audience and performers.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, UK
- By metro:
Shakespeare's Globe is only a 9-minute walk from London Bridge on the Northern Line, the closest tube station. Blackfriars (District and Circle lines) is about a 10-minute stroll from the theatre.
- By train:
The nearest train station is London Charing Cross, a 7-minute walk to the venue.
- By bus:
Routes 45, 63, 100, 381, and RV1 serve the area.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Toilets, Dining outlets, Cloak room, Souvenir shop, Free parking
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
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
You will receive an email with your The Animals Come To The Table voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid photo ID for identification.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions about The Animals Come To The Table
Ticket prices vary depending on your selected dates, seating tier (standing gallery vs. reserved seating), and availability.
The play is recommended for ages 14 and above due to mature themes and references to sexual violence. Please note that all guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 3 are strictly not admitted.
The play is running at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London.
The play imagines a world where animals confront humanity at a negotiating table, demanding an end to exploitation and ecological destruction.
The running time is 2 hours with interval
The play is written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, renowned for works like Our Country’s Good.
Yes, this is a world premiere with a limited run at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
The play features animals as main characters, uses wit and philosophy, and is staged in an atmospheric candlelit venue.
Children under 3 years of age are not permitted into the auditorium. The show is recommended for teenagers aged 14 and over due to mature content.
Yes, the play contains references to sexual violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
