People, Places And Things

What Is People, Places and Things About?

People, Places and Things is a bold and unflinching new play written by Duncan Macmillan, the acclaimed playwright behind Every Brilliant Thing. The play centres on Emma, a young woman who arrives at a rehabilitation centre and must confront the chaos of her inner life in order to survive it. Blending raw emotional honesty with a sharp, sometimes darkly comic sensibility, the play explores addiction, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to get through each day. It is a portrait of someone trying to hold together a self that keeps threatening to fall apart, and it asks difficult, necessary questions about what it means to be present in the modern world.

Why Did People, Places and Things Earn Such Acclaim?

The production originated at the National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre, where it played to sold-out houses and received widespread critical praise. Its West End transfer to Wyndham's Theatre in March 2016 was a direct response to that extraordinary demand. Duncan Macmillan's writing is precise and genuinely surprising, moving between realism and something more hallucinatory with real theatrical skill. The production, directed by Jeremy Herrin, used striking staging and design to bring Emma's fragmented perception of reality to life on stage, making it a visceral as well as an intellectual experience. For audiences who want theatre that challenges and moves in equal measure, this production represented some of the best new British writing of its era.

Who Starred in People, Places and Things?

Denise Gough led the production in the role of Emma, delivering a performance that became one of the most talked-about stage performances in recent London theatre memory. Her portrayal was fearless, technically extraordinary, and deeply human. The production was directed by Jeremy Herrin, whose work brought clarity and shape to Macmillan's complex, layered script. The combination of Gough's performance and Herrin's direction gave the piece a momentum and emotional intensity that stayed with audiences long after leaving the theatre.

What Do Visitors Need to Know About the Venue?

The West End transfer of People, Places and Things played at Wyndham's Theatre, a beautiful Edwardian playhouse situated on Charing Cross Road in the heart of the West End. The theatre is easily reached from Leicester Square Underground station, which is served by the Piccadilly and Northern lines. Charing Cross and Covent Garden are also within comfortable walking distance. Wyndham's is a mid-sized house with good sightlines from most seats, though those with restricted mobility should check accessibility arrangements directly with the theatre when booking. You can find more information about the venue at our Wyndham's Theatre guide.

Are There Similar Shows Worth Exploring?

If People, Places and Things appeals to you, there are several other productions in the same spirit worth seeking out. Duncan Macmillan's earlier work Every Brilliant Thing is a powerful and surprisingly joyful piece about depression and the value of being alive, and it makes an excellent companion piece. For other pieces of serious, character-driven new writing that found their home at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End, The Inheritance and Oslo share a similar ambition and scale. Those drawn to stories about mental health and personal survival told with theatrical inventiveness may also wish to look at Next Fall and other productions that place emotional truth at the centre of the drama.