Asa Butterfield poster

What if Your Whole Life You Felt That You Were…

Second Best Second Best title treatment

A New Play
Starring
Asa Butterfield
Making His Stage Debut

'An exquisitely bittersweet comedy of life's missed opportunities'

Jonathan Coe, on the novel Second Best

4-WEEKS ONLY

24 JANUARY - 22 FEBRUARY 2025

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS, LONDON

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 shape us, 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.

Second Best the Play Trailer

Second Best the Play trailer

Book Tickets

Ticket Information

Monday - Saturday at 8pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees at 3pm

Great seats from £40.
Limited premium seats available at all performances

Groups of 10+ Bands A & B at £40 (subject to availability).
Contact Group Line on help@groupline.com or 020 7206 1174

For access requirements, please phone the Box Office on 020 8237 1010.
Further information can be found at riversidestudios.co.uk

Box Office

For additional information and other requests, please contact the Box Office direct via:

Telephone:
020 8237 1010

Email:
boxoffice@riversidestudios.co.uk

In person:
Open Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 21:00

Finding Us

Riverside Studios is a 15-minute walk from Hammersmith Broadway Underground Station, please allow adequate time when planning your journey.

Riverside Studios

101 Queen Caroline St, London, W6 9BN

Get Directions

  • The District, Piccadilly and Hammersmith & City tube lines all come to Hammersmith Broadway station. As do buses: 9, 9a,10, 11, 27, 33, 72, 91, 220, 283 and 295. On exiting the Broadway via the south exit (by Tesco Metro), pass the Apollo on your left and Riverside is a 3 min walk down to the end of Queen Caroline Street (towards the river).

  • At the Hammersmith Broadway roundabout turn left by the Apollo Theatre into Queen Caroline Street, and then left into Crisp Road. We recommend walking, cycling, or using public transport to reach Riverside but if you wish to drive the following information is useful for car parking.

    Queen Caroline Street and Crisp Road both have plenty of pay & display parking spaces (but only for a maximum 2-hour stay and you can't extend after the 2 hours). For anything longer than 2 hours, we recommend Distillery Road (W6 9AD), which is less than 5 minutes' walk from Riverside. For electric cars, there is a Source London charging station nearby (42a Hammersmith Bridge Road).

  • The Studios is near the National Cycle Route 4 and has excellent connectivity on quiet and fast cycle routes. There is a council-provided bike rack directly in front of the venue.

  • Riverside Studios is located on the Thames Path, and it's a lovely scenic (approx) 40 mins walk to Putney Bridge and 50 mins to Chiswick Bridge.

Frequently asked questions

  • Age guidance 11+. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Approx. 90 minutes.

  • For any ticketing queries, please contact boxoffice@riversidestudios.co.uk who will happily assist.