The Cord

About

A Bush Theatre Production

Lifting the roof off one family’s home, The Cord lays bare fractures in their relationships they’ve long tried to hide.

The ★★★★ “exquisite, acutely observed and often searingly familiar” (WhatsOnStage) new play from Olivier award-winning writer and director Bijan Sheibani (Netflix’s One Day).

“Sometimes when I look at him, I feel like he’s me.
But if the baby is me, then who am I? You?”

Ash and Anya were happy, just the two of them. Then the baby came.

Ash has spent the first two weeks of his son’s life trying to work out where he fits. He watches his mother holding her grandchild for the first time, mesmerised by the mystery and delight of a new life. After she leaves, Ash watches Anya feeding their son – so close, almost intertwined.

As sleepless nights, relentless crying and hushed arguments take their toll, a storm starts to grow as a nightmarish chasm widens between Ash and his wife, his mother, and even his son.

The Cord is a brutally honest insight into the challenging truths of family dynamics. This astonishing world premiere production sees writer and director Bijan Sheibani (Till The Stars Come Down, National) reunite with the creative team behind his hit debut play, The Arrival.

★★★★★ ‘A fascinating exploration’ LondonBoxOffice
★★★★★ ‘ A powerful realist drama about the unshakeable bond of motherhood and the tests of being a new parent’ BroadwayBaby
★★★★ ‘Both universal and deeply personal’ WhatsOnStage
★★★★ ‘Packs a punch. Brimming with poignancy about the surreal world of new parenthood’ The Indiependent
★★★★ ‘Painstakingly truthful, exquisitely crafted.’ Matinee Mouse
‘Powerfully intimate, sensitive and intelligent’ Time Out

We are proud to be partnering with Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), who support women and families affected by postpartum psychosis over their lifetime. Check out their Bush Green post for more info.

Looking for show information and content guidance?
The Cord Self-Care Guide and Content Warnings