Grief is the Thing with Feathers

Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) gives a riveting, shape-shifting performance in Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel, a heart-wrenching meditation on love, loss and living.

In a London flat, two young boys face the unbearable sadness of their mother’s sudden death. Their father, a scruffy romantic, imagines a future of well-meaning visitors and emptiness. In this moment of despair, they are visited by Crow – antagonist, babysitter, trickster and healer. The sentimental bird is drawn to the grieving family and threatens to stay until they no longer need him.

This is ‘a production that will remain with you long after the curtain call’ and Murphy, in the central role, ‘leaves nothing at the stage door’ ***** (The Times).

Theatre & dance

1 hour 25 mins, no interval
Age guidance 12+

Tue 2 Apr
Captioned performance

Wed 3 Apr
Post-show talk
Free to same-day ticket holders

Thu 4 Apr
Pre-show talk and book signing for members

Tue 9 Apr
Audio-described performance with Touch Tour (6pm)

Presented by the Barbican

Wayward Productions in association with Complicité

Co-produced by the Barbican, Cork Opera House, Edinburgh International Festival, Oxford Playhouse, St Ann’s Warehouse and Warwick Arts Centre

Standard £16-60

Standard (Previews)

Reduced price preview performances 25–27 Mar:
£2 off top two ticket prices (£16–58*)

Members

Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.

No booking fee. Discounted tickets subject to availability.

Become a member.

Young Barbican

£15

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

No booking fee. Subject to availability.

Concessions & discounts

Under 16
Save 50%. Proof of age required on collection.

Students
Students are entitled to half-price tickets in advance for Wednesday evenings. Proof of eligibility required on collection.

Schools
£12 per ticket. Call the Groups line on 020 7382 7211 to book.

Access
Visitors with access requirements who have joined our Access Membership scheme may be eligible for reductions on tickets. Call the Box Office on 020 7638 8891. For Minicom facilities, call 07710 854 085.

Groups (10+)
Save 20%. Call the Groups line on 020 7382 7211.

Corporate Discounts
Save 25%. More info

Discounts are not available on lowest price tickets and are subject to availability. Discounts do not apply to associated talks, films or workshops. They cannot be combined to make greater savings.

*Excludes £3 booking fee

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Reviews

‘An exquisite lesson in survival‘

Independent (Ireland)

‘[Enda] Walsh’s skilful adaption provides his audience with a cacophony of emotions and the power to make their own meaning in this chaotic world.‘

Ciara L Murphy, Irish Times

‘Collective brilliance‘

Stage

Discover

Read: Enda Walsh - 'Grief is the Thing with Feathers floored me'

'I had written about grief before, but I thought structurally, Max completely captured it. That’s what it feels like when time is cut up and there’s no linear narrative to unfold.'

Read an interview with Enda Walsh in The Irish Times.