Box office: 020 7978 7040
LAMDA and Theatre503 present...
In a city unraveling street by street, two women—one who remembers nothing, and one who is starting to forget—move through shifting alleys and vanishing maps, delivering meals to feed the hungry people all around. As memories slip and buildings fall, they chase the echoes of lives they may have lived, searching for something real in a world that’s fading around them.
Suzie finds an unconscious woman, Layla, by the river. Layla remembers nothing—except that she’s a food delivery worker. As Suzie helps her rebuild a sense of self through an imagined memory palace, a deep, complex bond forms between them. To make ends meet, Suzie joins Layla on her delivery route. But as Layla’s memories return, Suzie’s begin to vanish—names, places, even her own identity fade. Around them, the city is being torn down by urban renewal, as if the world itself is being erased. Wandering through forgotten streets and underground rivers, they uncover unsettling truths about memory and loss. A mysterious figure tells them, “Human kids, follow me. All memories are buried at the bottom of the river.”
City Being Erased by A. L. Benjamin is a dark metaphor for the gig economy, gentrification, and forced displacement—set in a city that can’t stop moving forward, and two women who can’t afford to forget.
Haonan Wang is a theatre maker, director, and facilitator based in the UK and China, currently training at LAMDA’s Directing program. With a strong background in applied theatre, his work explores contemporary social issues and centers marginalized voices. Through diverse artistic approaches, Haonan creates performances that challenge audiences to think critically about politics, society, and identity. He is committed to making theatre that questions societal norms and fosters visibility for underrepresented communities.
Running time: 70 minutes (no interval)
Age guidance: 16+
Content Warnings: This show contains themes that some audience members may find distressing. If this sounds like it could apply to you, you can view the content information by clicking the hyperlink.
A. L. Benjamin
A. L. Benjamin is a playwright from South London. He has worked with Camden People's Theatre, Theatre503 and VAULT Festival. His play City Being Erased was shortlisted for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award in 2023.
There are currently no news articles for this show!
