An epic play in two acts, The Siege was commissioned by the National Playwright Commissioning Group and written especially for performance in schools.

It tells the story of the Swados family, citizens of Arden, a town under siege. Working in collaboration with teenagers from schools across the UK, Adrian Mitchell has created a vibrant and topical text which speaks with the voices of young people. The expertise and talent of thousands has been shared under the guidance of a leading playwright and the internationally famous composer, Andrew Dickson.

Adrian Mitchell was a much-loved playwright, poet and activist. His work in the theatre spans more than four decades. It includes original plays, many of them based on his heroes including William Blake, Mark Twain and Erik Satie, and adaptations of Spanish Golden Age and Russian classics. He worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre and his plays have been performed across the world.