Confirmed: Almeida Theatre's Chimerica transferring to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre

Following overnight gossip, it has been confirmed that the Headlong and Almeida Theatre’s sold-out co-production of Lucy Kirkwood’s new play Chimerica will transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre on 15th August 2013 (previews from 6th August) for a strictly limited 11 week run until 19th October 2013.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, Chimerica received its world premiere last month at the Almeida Theatre. The cast includes Stephen Campbell Moore, Benedict Wong, Claudie Blakley, Elizabeth Chan, Vera Chok, Karl Collins, Trevor Cooper, Nancy Crane, Sean Gilder, Sarah Lam and Andrew Leung all of whom will reprise their roles in the West End. Final casting will be announced shortly.

Tiananmen Square, 1989. As tanks roll through Beijing and soldiers hammer on his hotel door, Joe – a young American photojournalist – captures a piece of history. When a cryptic message is left in a Beijing newspaper more than 20 years later, Joe is driven to discover the truth behind the unknown hero he captured on film. Who was he? What happened to him? And could he still be alive?

Click here to read West End Frame's review of the production.

Cast Bios
Stephen Campbell Moore’s (Joe) theatre credits include Berenice at the Donmar Warehouse, Clybourne Park for the Royal Court, All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre and The History Boys for the National Theatre. Amongst his television credits are The Wrong Mans, Hunted, Lark Rise to Candleford, Ashes to Ashes and Hustle. His film work includes Complicit, A Short Stay in Switzerland, Sea Wolf, The History Boys and Bright Young Things.

Benedict Wong (Zhang Lin) was recently seen in Hampstead Theatre’s production of #aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei. Previously he played Laertes in the critically acclaimed Hamlet at the Young Vic opposite Michael Sheen. His many film credits include Prometheus, The Lady, Dirty Pretty Things, Moon, Sunshine, Hummingbird and Kick Ass 2. Wong’s TV credits include Run, Top Boy and The Wrong Mans.

Claudie Blakley (Tessa) recently played Lady Macbeth at Sheffield Crucible where she was also seen in Lear. Her other theatre credits include The Lady from the Sea at the Almeida Theatre. She has performed at the National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, the Young Vic, Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her television credits include New Tricks, Lark Rise to Candleford and Cranford Chronicles. Her film credits include Bright Star, Pride and Prejudice andGosford Park.

Elizabeth Chan’s (Liuli) theatre credits include Inside Out and Monkey for Polka Theatre, The Wheel for the National Theatre of Scotland, Greenland for the National Theatre and Nicholas Nickleby for the Lyric Hammersmith. Her television credits include Black Mirror: Going Dark and Silent Witness.

Vera Chok’s (Michelle /Mary Chang) theatre credits include Tonseisha – The Man Who Abandoned the World at the Barbican PitLab, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight for New Perspectives UK tour, The Death of Tintagell for saltpeter andWhen The Lights Went Out for Tara Arts UK tour. Her screen credits include Panic and Random 11.

Karl Collins (David/Peter/Paul/Officer) was seen on stage at the Tricycle Theatre in One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show. His other theatre credits include Category B and Fabulation also for the Tricycle Theatre and Riff Raff for the Arcola Theatre. Amongst his television credits are Black Mirror, Death in Paradise, Metrosexuality and The Bill. His film credits include The Unloved, Life and Lyrics and Greenwich Mean Time.

Trevor Cooper (Frank) has been seen at the Almeida Theatre in The Late Henry Moss, playing the title role, as well as roles in Awake and Sing, Measure for Measure and House of Games. His other theatre credits include Heartbreak Housefor Chichester Festival Theatre, King Lear for the Tobacco Factory, Arcadia at the Duke of York's and The Lieutenant of Innishmore for the Royal Shakespeare Company. His television credits include Vikings, Spooks, Inspector George Gently, Outnumbered, The History of Mr Polly and Trial and Retribution. On film his credits include Somerstown, Happy-Go-Lucky, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Gangs of New York and Vanity Fair.

Nancy Crane’s (Martha/Doreen/Maria Dubiecki) more recent theatre credits include The Children’s Hour at the Comedy Theatre, Design for Living at the Old Vic and Now or Later for the Royal Court. Her television credits include Nixon’s The One, Upstairs, Downstairs and Cambridge Spies. On film her credits include The Special Relationship and The Road to Guantanamo.

Sean Gilder (Mel Stanwyck) has previously been seen in Enemies and The Earthly Paradise at the Almeida Theatre, Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs for Hampstead Theatre, All’s Well That Ends Well for the Royal Exchange Theatre and Our Boys for the Donmar Warehouse. His extensive television credits include Inspector George Gently, The Shadow Line, Shameless, State of Play and New Tricks. On film his credits include Selfish Giant, King Arthur and Gangs of New York.

Sarah Lam’s (Feng Meihui/Ming Xiaoli) more recent theatre credits include Factors Unforeseen for the Orange Tree andMail Order Bride for the Theatre Royal Northampton. She has previously been seen in productions at the National Theatre and the Royal Court. On television her credits include No Problem!, Angels and Brookside. On film her credits includeHamlet and China Connection.

Andrew Leung’s (Young Zhang Lin/Benny) theatre credits include #aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at Hampstead Theatre, Minaturists 33 and A Leap of Faith for the Arcola Theatre, Man in the Middle for Theatre 503 and Romeo and Juliet, Uncle Vanya and All My Sons for East 15. His television credits include Phone Shop and Ahead of the Class. On film his credits include Comes a Bright Day and The List.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

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