Second Best

At ten years old, Martin Hill was on the brink of stardom, down to the final two contenders for the role of Harry Potter but narrowly missing out. Now an adult, Martin is about to embark on the ultimate adventure – fatherhood. As he navigates this whirlwind of emotions, he is pulled back to that pivotal moment in his past as he struggled to move beyond imagining what his life might have been.

Second Best is a playful yet poignant new comedy about fate, near-misses and the winding paths life takes. It explores the ache of almost touching greatness and the humour and hope that come when dreams remain just out of reach. A story about the tender moments that shapeus, Second Best is for anyone who has ever wondered about the road not taken, and whether the other life would have been as glittering as it looks.

Starring Asa Butterfield (Netflix’s Sex Education) in his stage debut, written by Barney Norris, based on David Foenkinos’ best-selling novel and directed by Michael Longhurst.

Assisted Perfromances:
Captioned: 18 February, 8pm

Important Information

Contains very mild references to trauma and mental illness.

Age Restrictions

Ages 11+. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Performance Times

Now taking bookings for performances from Mon 27th January 2025 until Sat 22nd February 2025.

Show times for each day are below.

Riverside Studios Details

Facilities at Riverside Studios

Riverside Studios Location

Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.