GIVE IT BACK. GIVE IT BACK NOW. GIVE IT BACK OR I’LL TAKE IT BACK.
Artistic Director Lisa Spirling makes her directorial debut at Stratford East with this fierce new play by Ava Pickett (1536, Almeida Theatre, upcoming Baz Lurhmann film about Joan of Arc).
Years after she walked out on her family, Helen has returned home after a war fought in her name. Her husband celebrates, her childhood friend Cee does not. Over the course of this first fragile night of peace time, wounds reopen, loyalties fracture and the true cost of a woman’s choice to leave her life is made clear.
Ava Pickett’s debut play 1536 (Almeida Theatre) won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2024, received a special commendation from the George Devine Award, and won The Stage Debut Award (Best Writer). 1536 was also earned Ava nominations in The Standard Theatre Award’s Most Promising Playwright category in 2025, and the Critic Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright. Following a sold out run at the Almeida, 1536 will open on the West End in May 2026. It has also been picked up for a TV adaptation by the BBC.
In addition, Ava has adapted Jane Austen’s Emma for the Rose Theatre, Kingston’s Autumn 2025 season, and her adaptation of A.K. Blakemore’s The Manningtree Witches opened at the Mercury Theatre Colchester in February 2026.
Ava is co-writing a feature film based on the life of Joan of Arc, with Baz Luhrmann for Warner Brothers. Other screen credits include Brassic, The Buccaneers, The Great and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
Presented by Stratford East.
This production is generously supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions and Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust.
Click here for details about companion/carer tickets.
Concessions
Available for under 17s
Schools Rates
Newham schools: £12 per person
All other schools: £14 per person
Group Bookings
If you buy nine standard rate tickets then you get the 10th free. Group bookings (of nine or more tickets) can only be booked over the phone or in person.
Booking Enquiries
Our online booking system doesn’t allow customers to leave isolated seats. We do this in order to prevent gaps in the auditorium.
Currently seats are on sale from Row B in the stalls, and it is possible that Row A will go on sale at a later date, so please be aware that purchasing seats in Row B does not guarantee that you will be in the front row.
Please note that our boxes have a slightly restricted view. Seats marked with an ‘i’ on the seating plan have a restricted view.
Our ticket prices increase as the theatre fills. We always recommend booking early to secure the best seats at the best price.
If you require any help with your booking then please contact our Box Office by emailing tickets@stratfordeast.com or calling 020 8534 0310.
Writer Ava Pickett
Director Lisa Spirling
Running Time: TBC
Age guidance: 14+ (Click here for Content Advisory Notes)
Pay What You Can: Mon 04 Sep
Access performances:
Relaxed Environment: Tue 29 Sep, 7.30pm
BSL Interpreted: Thu 01 Oct, 7.30pm
Captioned: Fri 02 Oct, 7.30pm
SAT 16 MAY - SAT 04 JUL 2026
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