After Life (NHB Modern Plays)

If you could spend eternity with just one precious memory, what would it be?

A group of strangers grapple with this impossible question as they find themselves in a bureaucratic waiting room between life and death. Encouraged by enigmatic officials, they must sift through their past lives to choose their forever.

Adapted from Hirokazu Kore-eda's award-winning film, After Life is a surreal and powerfully human look at the way we view our lives, and a haunting meditation on what it is to live – and to die.

Written by Jack Thorne from a concept by Bunny Christie, Jeremy Herrin and Thorne, After Life was first performed at the National Theatre, London, in June 2021.

It was directed by Herrin, in a co-production with Headlong, by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

'A compelling vision of eternity' – The Times

'A powerful show with subtlety and tenderness' – The i

'A great idea, charmingly done… Although After Life is based on a film, its best parts are pure theatre' – Guardian

'Miraculous… an absolutely superb play… I was incredibly moved by it… a properly transcendent piece of theatre' – Time Out