'I used to be scared of them. They seemed so different. They don't scare me any more. They're just children, aren't they? Just children.'

January 1941. A terrible crime is taking place in a clinic for disabled children. The perpetrators argue that it will help struggling parents and lift the financial burden on the mighty German state. One brave voice is raised in objection. But will the doctor listen?

A moving examination of a terrifying moral dilemma, and a powerful story that shows what it takes for humanity and decency to be restored in a world that has abandoned them.

First produced by Tara Finney Productions, Stephen Unwin's debut play All Our Children premiered at Jermyn Street Theatre, London, in 2017.

About the Author
Stephen Unwin is one of the UK's leading theatre and opera directors. He founded English Touring Theatre in 1993 and opened the Rose Theatre Kingston in 2008, becoming Artistic Director until 2014. He has written guides to Shakespeare's and Brecht's plays, as well as to Ibsen, Chekhov, Strindberg, and Twentieth-Century Drama. He is also the author of The Complete Brecht Toolkit and So You Want To Be A Theatre Director? As a writer for the stage, his work includes: Laughing Boy, adapted from Sara Ryan's book Justice for Laughing Boy (Jermyn Street Theatre, London, 2024) and All Our Children (Jermyn Street Theatre, 2017). He is a campaigner for the rights and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and was appointed the Chair of KIDS in November 2016, the national charity providing services to disabled children, young people and their families.

Reviews

'A brave and challenging play'

* The Arts Desk *

'Incredibly effective... you will be hooked from start to finish'

* A Younger Theatre *

'A gripping battle of words... what makes the play engrossing is Unwin's ability to explore both internal doubt and external conflict'

* Guardian *

'Unwin masterfully brings to light an often forgotten part of history, with vivid characterisation and gracefully authentic dialogue. He explores this dark story with profundity, while simultaneously managing to keep it relatable and real... a deeply thought-provoking piece of theatre'

* Broadway World *

'A passionate drama... the anger and arguments at the heart of this protest piece are strong'

* Time Out *

'Unwin's potent script creates a vivid picture of the social and moral landscape of Germany at the height of the Second World War... rich with argument and raw with emotion'

* The Stage *

'Packs an emotional punch... haunting and hard-hitting'

* LondonTheatre1 *

'Fascinating... it's a magnificent, brilliantly written piece of theatre which draws the audience in to an emotional state of turmoil'

* TheatreWeekly *

'This play is very special... a moral and ethical debate of the highest quality... Stephen Unwin must already be a hot tip to be 2017's best new playwright'

* British Theatre Guide *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848426696
Author Stephen Unwin
Format Paperback
Page Count 120
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books