The world premiere of Lucy Kirkwood's The Children, beginning performances November 17 prior to an official opening November 24 for a run through January 14, 2017, will feature Francesca Annis, Ron Cook and Deborah Findlay.

In the play, two retired nuclear scientists are living in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request.

The play is directed by James Macdonald, with design by Miriam Buether and lighting design by Peter Mumford.

Kirkwood's NSFW also premiered at the Royal Court. Other plays include Chimerica (at the Almeida, subsequently transferred to the West End) and Beauty & The Beast (National Theatre).

Macdonald's extensive Royal Court directorial credits include Cary Churchill's Love & Information and Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? (that subsequently transferred to New York's Minetta Lane and Public Theater, respectively) and Mike Bartlett's Cock (that subsequently transferred to the Duke on 42nd Street). Other New York credits include Cloud Nine (Atlantic), King Lear and The Book of Grace (both at the Public), Top Girls (MTC on Broadway), Dying City (Lincoln Center) and John Gabriel Borkman (transferred from Dublin's Abbey to BAM).

Annis was seen in New York in The Machine, which transferred from Manchester International Festival to Park Avenue Armory, and Hamlet (transferred to Broadway in an Almeida production starring Ralph Fiennes in the title role). She has also appeared extensively for the National and RSC, and on screen her credits include Lillie and The Comedy Of Errors, both of which she received the BAFTA Award for Best Actress.

Cook has appeared extensively at the Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse, National and Hampstead Theatres. He was in the Jude Law Hamlet that transferred to Broadway.

Findlay has appeared at the Royal Court in Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone and Top Girls (as well as its subsequent transfer to the New York Public Theater). She has appeared extensively at the National (including Stanley, which transferred to Circle in the Square, for which she won both an Olivier Award in the U.K. and a Drama League prize in New York), RSC, Almeida, Donmar Warehouse and Young Vic.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7565 5000 or visit royalcourttheatre.com.