1886, Cornwall, a family prepare dinner by candlelight. A salesman arrives to demonstrate a wonderful new discovery - the kerosene lamp. The age of Oil begins here. A mother and daughter will be changed forever.

How do we manage our finite resources? Is there any resource more infinite than love?

From the stage of London’s Almeida Theatre hails this epic, explosive play about empire, history and motherhood as it charts the lifespan of one of our most precious commodities. Starring Hayley McElhinney (Doctor Doctor, The Cherry Orchard) with a formidable ensemble of actors under the direction of Adam Mitchell (When the Rain Stops Falling, Death of a Saleman), Oil is an exciting and relevant new work for our time and place.

1886, Cornwall, a family are preparing for dinner by candlelight. A salesman arrives at their farm to demonstrate a wonderful new discovery - the kerosene lamp. The age of oil is beginning.

Spanning 150 years and traversing the globe through Tehran, Hampstead, Baghdad and then back to Cornwall, Oil is the time travelling story of mother May and her daughter Amy as they navigate a shifting world.

"Oil is everything great theatre should be; ambitious, exciting and brimming with heart. It takes us on a journey of big ideas in the search for light. It’s the kind of play that comes about once in a decade." -  Adam Mitchell, Director.

“Scorchingly ambitious, with plenty of renewable energy.” ★★★★★ The Guardian.

WRITER
Ella Hickson

DIRECTOR
Adam Mitchell

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Scott McArdle

CAST INCLUDES
Violette Ayad
Will Bastow
Grace Chow
Polly Low
Hayley McElhinney
Mararo Wangai

SET & COSTUME DESIGNER
Zoë Atkinson

COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Melanie Robinson

VOCAL COACH
Jean Goodwin

STAGE MANAGER
Sue Fenty

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Isabella Taylor