Al Miller’s production at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre draws us into the North Philadelphia home of two brothers, where a third man is held hostage

Tightly plotted play that evolves from domestic drama to small-time gangster thriller bristles with energy

Described as a classic revisited, Jermyn Street is a perfect venue for this revival. The intimate basement space helps Kessler’s three-hander to build tension and claustrophobia.

Read our review of Orphans at Jermyn Street Theatre, London: upbeat revival focuses on the humour in Lyle Kessler’s absurdist exploration of masculinity and social isolation

Orphans was written by Philadelphia-born Lyle Kessler and first staged in 1983, directed by Gary Sinise at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, before going on to a successful Off-Broadway run. Later, in 1986, the play transferred to London’s West End, earning Albert Finney an Olivier Award, followed by a filmed version in 1987. Set in Philadelphia, two brothers, Treat (Chris Walley) and Phillip (Fred Woodley Evans), live a strange life brought on by the abandonment of their father at an early age and the death of their mother.

Review: Orphans at Jermyn Street Theatre “The play is part Theatre of the Absurd, part thriller, and part a mind game played on the audience.”

Jermyn Street Theatre has unveiled its full Spring 2026 season, featuring five main productions and a series of one-night-only events

Jermyn Street Theatre has revealed the first two productions in its 2026 season, spotlighting a revival of Orphans and the London premiere of Aether.

The dedicated team responsible for the small but perfectly formed Jermyn Street Theatre located in the heart of Piccadilly, always manage to schedule a dazzlingly varied programme of work throughout t...

Described as a classic revisited, Jermyn Street is a perfect venue for this revival. The intimate basement space helps Kessler’s three-hander to build tension and claustrophobia.

Orphans was written by Philadelphia-born Lyle Kessler and first staged in 1983, directed by Gary Sinise at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, before going on to a successful Off-Broadway run. Later, in 1986, the play transferred to London’s West End, earning Albert Finney an Olivier Award, followed by a filmed version in 1987. Set in Philadelphia, two […]

review of ORPHANS | Jermyn Street Theatre | thespyinthestalls | 4 stars | Orphans director Al Miller says he ploughed through dozens of

Al Miller’s production of the Tony Award nominated play is biting and grows in intriguing intensity… (c)Charlie Flint It has be said that Lyle Kessler’s Tony Award nominated play,…

Orphans at Jermyn Street Theatre Review: “The play is part Theatre of the Absurd, part thriller, and part a mind game played on the audience.”

The production of Lyle Kessler’s play will run at the theatre until the 24th January. (c) Charlie Flint Production images have now been released for Lyle kessler’s play ‘Orphans&#…

Theatre review of Orphans (Lyle Kessler) from Jermyn Street Theatre at Jermyn Street Theatre - reviewer: Howard Loxton

A complicated and darkly funny portrayal of brotherly bonds Set in 1983 Northern Philadelphia, Lyle Kessler’s Orphans centres on twenty-eight-year old Phillip and his older brother Treat, whose insula...

🔥 Explore this trending post from Culture | The Guardian 📖 📂 **Category**: Stage,Theatre,Culture,Jermyn Street Theatre 💡 **What You’ll Learn**: TThe creepy intruder quietly wandering into a house to stir up family drama is not an unfamiliar dramatic trope. The intruder comes into Lyle Kessler's Philadelphia home initially disguised as a victim, then slowly exerts his dominance until he rules the roost.

Orphans by Lyle Kessler is set in North Philadelphia in 1983. Packing an emotional punch and tells a story of learnt behaviour and an instinct for survival by any means. Their Mother has died and t…

Writer: Lyle Kessler Director: Al Miller Two adult brothers, Treat and Phillip, live together in a house in North Philadelphia. Their carefully managed Pennsylvanian accents, voice-coached by Rebecca ...

All the action takes place in the front room of a house that looks like it had its wallpaper stripped, but for whatever reason, the said removed wallpaper was n