Empty by Robert Nurden
An intricate portrait of childlessness by circumstance from a perspective rarely heard.
‘Becoming a parent changes you completely. - Not becoming a parent changes you completely, too’
Empty, the debut play from journalist and author Robert Nurden (The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent on Sunday), tackles head-on how ‘choosing’ parenting is rarely a question for men, and why society so often doesn't know what to say to someone who is childless not by choice. Empty comes to The Drayton Arms Theatre for a strictly limited run from 7–11 July 2026.
Nurden’s play is based on his 2023 book ‘I Always Wanted To Be A Dad: Men without Children’, which investigates the pain experienced by millions who never become the parents they long to be. A taut exploration of what it means to be childless, it is bolstered by testimonies of other childless men.
Empty goes a stage further and, through the regrets of a man and woman, forensically examines the complexities and nuances of unwanted childlessness, which remains one of society’s largely unrecognised issues.
‘Men who never achieve their dream of becoming dads experience pain and regret but we hardly ever hear the words,’ says Nurden. ‘Infertility and being childless by circumstance are taboo subjects. I want to change the way we see this.’
When David’s phone rings, the voice on the other end is one he never expected to hear again. As old emotions reignite he and Amy are drawn back to the dream of parenthood that once consumed her. But can they survive the choices that tore them apart? And is David being honest when he says that he now wants to be a dad, too?
Where: Drayton Arms Theatre, London SW5 0LJ
When: Tuesday 7 - Saturday 11 July 2026
Tickets: £14.00 standard / £12.00 concession
Venue details
- Address:
- Drayton Arms Theatre
- 153 Old Brompton Road
- London
- SW5 0LJ