About the Show

Inspector reopens Richard III case in 1950s hospital; directed by Jenny Eastop.

Set in post-war London, The Daughter of Time follows Inspector Alan Grant, confined to a hospital bed and restless with inactivity. To occupy his mind, Grant begins investigating the historical mystery of King Richard III and the alleged murder of the Princes in the Tower. As Grant digs deeper into the past, he confronts not only centuries-old political intrigue but also questions of identity, truth, and personal transformation.

M. Kilburg Reedy adapts this world premiere production from Josephine Tey’s acclaimed 1951 novel, ranked No. 1 in the British Crime Writers’ Association’s Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time. The play is directed by Jenny Eastop, whose previous credits include productions at the Finborough Theatre and Mercury Theatre Colchester. The adaptation marks a rare stage of treatment of Tey’s intellectually driven detective fiction.

Presented at Charing Cross Theatre, the production runs for a strictly limited engagement from 18 July to 13 September 2025. It is produced by Excelsior Entertainment, Mercurius Theatre, and Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited.

Critic Reviews (6)

"Far too long and poorly paced, it proves a real struggle to get through, as seen through more empty seats after the interval than there had been before."
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"Despite some committed performances, there is a distinct lack of chemistry on display here and several of the cast struggle to remain audible, spending the play flatly delivering their lines into the corners of Bob Sterrett’s smart set."
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"A history lesson woven into a detective story with a twist of humour is an irresistible combination."
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"There are some funny moments, most of them provided by Harrison Sharpe as Brent, who has a habit of writing vital intel on little pieces of paper and storing them in his clothing, including his shoe."
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"This light-hearted and amusing cold case detective story asks whether or not Richard III got a bad rap."
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"Rob Pomfret as Grant has the trickiest job of expressing charisma and verve, largely lying down with his leg propped, but his obvious magnetism keeps the story in focus, and by the time he does stand up, he lifts the pace with him."
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