Les Parents Terribles is set in a bohemian household in 1930s Paris. When Michael declares his love for a girl, his devoted mother burns with jealousy while his father is shocked to discover that his son's lover is someone he knows only too well.

Jean Cocteau, who wrote Les Parents Terribles, was a prolific playwright, novelist, poet, artist and film-maker who was at the forefront of the Surrealist movement. His other work for the stage includes La Voix Humaine, Le Bel Indifferent, Orphee and La Machine A Ecrire.

Les Parents Terribles is staged as part of Donmar Trafalgar, a new initiative giving recent graduates of the Donmar Warehouse’s Resident Assistant Director (RAD) scheme the chance to stage their own production.

Chris Rolls, who was part of the RAD scheme in 2005, directs Les Parents Terribles. His other directing credits include Blurt Master Constable, The Beaver Coat and Under The Earth.

The cast of Les Parents Terribles includes West End star Frances Barber, who recently appeared in the RSC productions of The Seagull and King Lear at the New London theatre and Madame De Sade at the Wyndham's theatre.