painkiller

Written by Sophie Ellerby
Directed by Toby Clarke

We’re at war. Firebombs blaze, families flee food shortages as cyberattacks cut the electricity supply. Whole cities face blackouts for days.

Confronted by conscription, the young are drafted in to fight the invading force, their destinies decided. These soldiers are on the frontline and the violence is escalating. It feels utterly relentless. Until a group of soldiers say no.

Downing arms, faced with the prospect of prison time for desertion, they’re offered another form of service - to enrol in a military clinical trial to test a cutting-edge gene therapy to treat pain. A treatment never yet trialled on humans. They could undergo rehabilitation and be completely pain free for the rest of their lives... but what is life without pain?

A new play from the Stratford East Young Company. Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East.