Arnold Rosen has two sons, both of whom suffer from a genetic kidney disease. Eight years ago, Arnold donated one of his kidneys to save his older son’s life. Now the younger son also needs a transplant. And Arnold makes a proposal which would save his son, but kill himself. The moral and ethical dilemmas are explored against a background in which old grievances are aired and deep family divisions force their way to the surface.

The Finborough Theatre’s writers-in-residence season ends with the world premiere of a new play, shortlisted for the Soho Theatre Company 2000 Verity Bargate Award. The first production in the season, W.H. Davies’ Young Emma, adapted for the stage by Laura Wade and directed by Tamara Harvey, was a Time Out Critics’ Choice for two weeks running. Playwright Laura Wade has also just won the Pearson Award for New Writing allowing her to continue as writer-in-residence at the Finborough Theatre for the next year. The Finborough has also just been shortlisted for the Peter Brook Empty Space Award.

Playwright Anthony Melnikoff’s other plays include Steinberg’s Day of Atonement, first performed at Pentameters Theatre, London, in 1998, where it smashed thirty years of box office records; and Child of the Forest, first performed at the Finborough Theatre in 2000. Both of these plays were runners-up in the Arts Councils Meyer-Whitworth Award for New Writing. Allport’s Revenge was shortlisted for the Soho Theatre Company 2000 Verity Bargate Award, and subsequently received two public rehearsed readings at the Soho Theatre.

The cast reunites Kevin Colson and Daniel Hart who again play father and son – after winning great acclaim for their roles in Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me (Nicholas de Jongh’s No 1 Critics Choice). Kevin Colson’s theatre credits include well as countless leading roles in West End musicals including the original cast of Cabaret with Judi Dench (Palace Theatre), Rat Pack Confidential (Whitehall), Mind The Gap (Soho Theatre), Annie (West End and National Tour) Divorce Me Darling (Chichester Festival Theatre), Maddie (Lyric Theatre) and Aspects of Love (National tour). Daniel Hart’s theatre credits include Madame Melville (Vaudeville), The Station (Soho Theatre), Macbeth (Queen’s) and Peter Pan (Royal National Theatre). TV and Film includes Cambridge Spies, Beginners Luck, All The Way, Vanity Fair and Midsomer Murders.

The Press on Allport's Revenge
" Allport's Syndrome is a rare genetic and highly degenerative kidney disease. There is no cure except a kidney transplant, although dialysis can keep the patient alive for several years. In Anthony Melnikoff's play, 23 year old Jonathan is bright, thoughtful, in the first throes of love and the final stages of Allports syndrome. He has everything to live for, but unless he gets a transplant within the next few weeks he will almost certainly die. His father, Arnold, a Jewish human rights lawyer, has spent his life saving the world but is unable to save his son because he has already donated a kidney to his elder son Graham, also an Allports suffer. However, Arnold isn't prepared to let a little thing like his own death stand in the way of his sons future. . . intelligent . . . heartfelt."
Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

"Anthony Melnikoff's new play has all the ingredients of great drama . . It's a rewardingly gnarly debate that Melnikoff tackles foursquarely. The family is well drawn, with issues of Judaism and Arnold's career induced absenteeism during his sons youth giving flavour to the conflict. Brilliantly played by Kevin Colson, Arnold has a charm and warmth that propels the show along. . . Its a stimulating play all the same, far more affecting than a dry ethical conundrum. . . But Caitriona McLaughlin's unsentimental production is assembled with care and played with vim."
Dominic Maxwell, Time Out

"In Anthony Melnikoff's new issue play, Arnold Rosen is a Jewish lawyer who approaches retirement burdened by fears for the health of Jonathan, his second son, who has the rare Allport's Syndrome. Having already saved his first son by donating one of his kidneys eight years ago, he seems set to make some risky gesture to help his second. His wife, Naomi, is naturally appalled, and Jonathans new girlfriend, Rivka, a rabbi's daughter, adds her voice to the debate. . . Melnikoff tackles the issues of parental sacrifice, marital discord and filial respect with humour and concision. Family relationships are neatly observed and tensions bubble nicely. But most of the play is basically a debate, with character study taking a back seat to discussion of ideas and mortality. Only at the start of the second half, in a convincing scene between father and son, does the psychology ring absolutely true. Still, if its ideas you want, this is a play for you. Allports Revenge is well directed by the talented Caitriona McLaughlin . . .A good cast, led by Kevin Colson (Arnold) and Janet Jefferies (Naomi), work hard to make this an evening which satisfies our moral curiosity."
Aleks Sierz, What's On in London