Politics, Passion and Moral Reckoning at The Questors
David Hare's The Vertical Hour to be performed in The Studio
The play was written and staged in the wake of the Iraq war. Picture: The Questors
January 27, 2026
Fresh from the sold-out success of Ibsen’s Ghosts, the Studio at the Questors now turns its attention to a gripping contemporary drama: David Hare’s The Vertical Hour, running 13–21 February. With global tensions once again dominating the news, Hare’s play feels uncannily timely, probing the moral fractures that emerge when personal convictions collide with the politics of war.
Set in the quiet beauty of the Shropshire hills, the play follows Nadia, a former war correspondent who has reinvented herself as a Yale academic, and Philip, her partner, as they visit his father Oliver, a doctor living in self-imposed rural isolation. What begins as a polite family encounter quickly becomes a charged ideological battleground. Over the course of a single night, the trio debate the Iraq conflict, the ethics of intervention, the cost of solitude, and the compromises demanded by love and loyalty.
Hare wrote The Vertical Hour in 2006, in the immediate aftermath of the Iraq invasion, drawing on his own experiences reporting from the region and his long-standing interest in the intersection of politics and private life. The play premiered on Broadway under the direction of Sam Mendes, with Julianne Moore making her stage debut as Nadia. Its title refers to a military term: the brief moment when a helicopter is too high to land but too low to be safe — a metaphor for the precarious moral terrain the characters inhabit.
What makes the play endure is not simply its political sharpness but its emotional intelligence. Hare uses the Iraq debate as a catalyst for something deeper: a generational reckoning, a clash of worldviews, and a painful excavation of the stories we tell ourselves to survive. As dawn breaks over Shropshire, each character is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about who they are and what they believe.
This new Studio production promises an intimate, thought-provoking evening — a chamber piece where wit, passion and politics spark off one another in close quarters.
Meanwhile, audiences still have time to catch John Galsworthy’s rarely staged Loyalties in the Playhouse, running until 31 January. This incisive drama of prejudice, class and allegiance in 1920s high society has been drawing strong word-of-mouth praise.
Tickets are available now via the theatre’s box office and website. Early booking is recommended, particularly after the Studio’s recent run of sell-outs. Performances typically begin at 7.30pm, with selected matinees depending on demand.
Coming Up This Season at the Questors
The Secret Garden
Adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
24 – 28 February | The Playhouse
Book tickets here
Mary Lennox, orphaned and sent to her uncle’s manor, discovers a neglected garden that mirrors her own loneliness. As she brings the garden back to life, she transforms herself and those around her. This beloved story is brought to the stage by Questors Youth Theatre, celebrating the magic of nature and friendship.
Tobermory: A Cat’s Tale
by H.H. Munro, adapted by Rachel Moorhead
13 – 21 March | The Studio
Book tickets here
At a 1930s house party, polite society is thrown into chaos when a guest reveals her startling experiment. If true, it could overturn the natural order forever. Based on Munro’s short story, this witty black comedy explores betrayal, manners, and the curious bond between pets and people.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens
20 – 28 March | The Playhouse
Book tickets here
Christopher, a boy who loves facts and mathematics but struggles with lies and mysteries, sets out to discover who killed his neighbour’s dog. His investigation leads to revelations that upend his world. This award-winning adaptation of Haddon’s novel is a powerful story of resilience and discovery.
Questors offers annual season passes, giving theatre lovers the chance to attend multiple productions at reduced prices. Options include single (£45), joint (£90), and concession (£20 for under 30s and those on benefits). Pass holders enjoy discounts on tickets and special offers for visiting companies.
Find out more about Season Passes
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