The Fastest Clock in the Universe

'Once again, Ridley proves a natural storyteller with a lurid imagination and an obsession with images of deacay and cruelty... not for the squeamish' Sunday Times ****

'Gold-star production'  Independent

'A supremely charismatic stage debut by Jaime Winstone'  The Times ****

'Edward Dick's superb revival... rich in great speeches... both compelling and genuinely disturbing'  What's On Stage ****

It’s Cougar’s birthday. He’s having a party. And the gift he’d kill for is… youth.

In a strange room in East London the party preparations are under way. Everything has been planned to the last detail. Surely nothing can go wrong? After all, there’s the specially made birthday cake, the specially written cards, the specially chosen guest of honour… and a very, very sharp knife.

Philip Ridley’s edgy and provocative drama caused a sensation when it premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 1992, winning the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Newcomer to the Stage and the Meyer Whitworth Prize. It is now regarded as a contemporary classic. Hampstead has since premiered many of Ridley’s other plays including Ghost From a Perfect Place, Fairytaleheart and Vincent River. Edward Dick directs at Hampstead for the first time.

Suitable for ages 14+. Please note this production contains scenes that some people may find offensive.






Philip Ridley will also be performing his own poetry for two nights only. Following the performances of The Fastest Clock in the Universe on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, he will read his sequence of poems that chart the journey of a love affair: Lovesongs for Extinct Creatures.

Cast and Creative Team

• Cast
• Finbar Lynch: Captain Tock
• Neet Mohan: Foxtrot Darling
• Alec Newman: Cougar Glass
• Eileen Page: Cheetah Bee
• Jaime Winstone: Sherbet Gravel
• Creative Team
• Philip Ridley: Writer
• Edward Dick: Director
• Mark Thompson: Designer
• Rick Fisher: Lighting Designer
• Adrienne Quartly: Sound Designer

Performance Details

Venue - Auditorium

• September: 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 (3pm), 26 (7:30pm), 28, 29, 30
• October: 1, 2, 3 (3pm), 3 (7:30pm), 5, 6, 7 (2:30pm), 7 (7:30pm), 8, 9, 10 (3pm), 10 (7:30pm), 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (3pm), 17 (7:30pm)

Please note that latecomers may not be admitted.

Running time approx. 2 hrs 15 mins (incl. 20 minute interval)

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