Straight White Men

‘Lee’s play is funny, well-observed, often surprisingly gentle, and refreshingly nuanced. Straight White Men: I’m here for it.’ ★★★★ Evening Standard
‘A timely identity study that gives a powerful critique of 21st-century white male psychology’ ★★★★ The Guardian
‘Absorbing’ ★★★★ The Times
‘Hilarious and probing’ ★★★★ ArtsDesk
‘Ingenious, provocative and richly entertaining’ ★★★★ The Independent
‘This laugh-out-loud production.. sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.’ ★★★★ The Reviews Hub
‘An intriguing look at male bonding. Equally poignant as it is provocative.’ ★★★★ Boyz Magazine
‘A surpassingly alive production… the actors are all terrific’ ★★★★ London Theatre

As Ed, a widower, prepares to celebrate Christmas, he calls his three grown sons back to the family home. Games are played, Chinese food is ordered, and brotherly pranks and trashtalk distract them from the on-going issue that threatens to ruin the festivities: when identity matters and privilege is a problem, what is a straight white man to do? Raucous, surprising and fearless—the ever-adventurous Young Jean Lee takes an outside look at the traditional father/son play narrative, shedding new light on a story we think we know all too well.

A Korean American playwright whose work revels in subversive explorations of identity, Lee compassionately investigates straight white male identity in a way that is as hilarious as it is revealing.

Following an acclaimed Broadway run, the hilarious Straight White Men arrives at Southwark Playhouse for four weeks only.

Charlie Condou (playing Matt) is a British actor, columnist and LGBTQ+ rights activist best known for playing Marcus Dent in Coronation Street and Ben Sherwood in Holby City. Simon Rouse (playing Ed) is best known for playing DCI Jack Meadows in The Bill. They are joined by Cary Crankson (Country Music), Alex Mugnaioni (Romeo & Juliet, National Theatre), Kamari Roméo (The Bear/The Proposal, Young Vic) and Kim Tatum (Killer Tongue).

Straight White Men is generously supported by Arts Council England & the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.