Casting announced for world premiere of Labyrinth at the Hampstead Theatre

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Beth Steel's new play Labyrinth.

Directed by Anna Ledwich, the piece opens at the Hampstead Theatre on 7th September (previews from 1st September) and runs until 8th October 2016. 

The cast includes Sean Delaney as John, Tom Weston-Jones as Charlie, Eric Kofi Abrefa as Rick, Joseph Balderrama as South American Ministers, Philip Bird as Frank, Martin McDougall as Howard, Alexia Traverse-Healy as LB Holmes, Matt Whitchurch as Phil and Elena Saurel as Grace.

Penny Downie replaces Alison Steadman in Rabbit Hole

Alison Steadman has withdrawn from Rabbit Hole at the Hampstead Theatre due to personal reasons. The role of Nat will now be played by Penny Downie (Downton Abbey/The Fairy Queen).

Hampstead's artistic director Edward Hall said: "We are delighted to welcome Penny Downie to Hampstead Theatre for the UK premiere of Rabbit Hole. The company is looking forward to be working with her and we hope to welcome Alison back to the venue in the future."

The cast of David Lindsay-Abaire’s play also includes Claire Skinner (The Father/Outnumbered),Tom Goodman-Hill (The Effect/The Secret Agent), Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey/Abigail’s Party, pictured), Georgina Rich (The Merchant of Venice/Dirty Dancing) and Sean Delaney in his professional debut.

Casting announced for Rabbit Hole at the Hampstead Theatre

Full casting has been announced for the UK premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s play Rabbit Hole.

Directed by Edward Hall, the production opens at the Hampstead Theatre on 4th February (previews from 29th January) and runs until 5th March 2016. 

The cast includes: Claire Skinner (The Father/Outnumbered), Tom Goodman-Hill (The Effect/The Secret Agent), Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey/Abigail’s Party, pictured), Georgina Rich (The Merchant of Venice/Dirty Dancing) and Sean Delaney in his professional debut.

Full casting announced for Tom Stoppard’s Hapgood at the Hampstead Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Tom Stoppard’s play Hapgood which opens at the Hampstead Theatre on 9th December 2015 (previews from 4th December) for a limited run to 16th January 2016.

Directed by Howard Davies, the full cast includes Lisa Dillon, who will take the title role, Gary Beadle, Joe Evans, Edward Hancock, Gerald Kyd, Tim McMullan and Alec Newman. Child actors Adam Cansfield and Sasha Gray complete the cast.

Howard Davies to direct Hapgood at the Hampstead Theatre

It has been announced that Hapgood by Tom Stoppard is being staged at the Hampstead Theatre.

Directed by Howard Davies with design by Ashley Martin Davis, the production will open on 9th December 2015 (previews from 4th December) and run until 16th January 2016. Casting to be announced.

London 1988. The Cold War is approaching its endgame and somebody in spymaster Elizabeth Hapgood’s network is leaking secrets. Is her star Double Agent a Triple? The trap she sets becomes a hall of mirrors in which betrayal is personal and treachery a trick of the light.

Big Interview: Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins is currently starring in The Glass Supper by Martyn Hesford at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs. 

Michelle recently left Coronation Street after playing Stella Price for almost three years. She famously played Cindy Beale in Eastenders; Michelle was originally contracted for eleven episodes but ended up playing the role for ten years. She has also played leading roles in the BAFTA nominated Two Thousand Acres of Sky and Jaqueline Wilson's Emmy Award winning The Illustrated Mum.

The star’s theatre credits include: Rattle of a Simple Man (Comedy Theatre), Daddy Cool (Shaftesbury), Never Forget (UK Tour), Deception (Malvern Theatres), Calendar Girls (UK Tour), Vagina Monologues (Birmingham Hippodrome), Raving Beauties (Liverpool Playhouse), Have You Ever Fallen In Love (Apollo Theatre), Romeo and Juliet and The Demolition (both Bolton Octagon), On The Piste (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch), Reluctant Heroes (Nottingham Playhouse), Strictly Business (Nuffield Theatre), Burning Point (Tricycle) and The Play What I Wrote directed by Kenneth Branagh (Watford).

Just a few of Michelle’s television credits include: Casualty (BBC), Marple (ITV), Hotel Babylon (BBC), The Family Man (BBC), Rock Rivals (ITV), Sunburn (BBC), Real Women (BBC) and The Bill (Talkback Thames). Her film credits feature: Personal Services with Julie Walters, Stephen Poliakov's Hidden City and, most recently, Bollywood Brit flick Don't Stop Dreaming.

The Glass Supper is described as a “blistering, poetic, comic new drama about the search for love and sex in the modern world.” Marcus and Colin have escaped the madness of London to live in the peaceful countryside. But will this new idyllic reality soon be shattered when Steven, his beautiful young boyfriend, Jamie, and the enigmatic Wendy arrive unexpectedly for supper. 

I recently spoke to Michelle about her theatre return, the bold themes and issues surrounding The Glass Supper, why her feet haven’t touched the ground since she left Coronation Street and what it’s like sharing a dressing room with her four male co-stars. 

The Glass Supper is a very bold piece which represents characters and themes rarely seen in theatre. What was your initial reaction when it first came to your attention?

I know Martyn the writer so had first read this play a few years back. It had always stuck in my mind and then when I came back to London I saw his play Mrs Lowry and Son – which is completely different to this – and after I asked him, “What happened to that play?” He dug it out and we did a reading. What’s great about The Glass Supper is that everyone has this fluffy image and says “oh yes he’s gay” and “oo my best friend is gay,” we’re all so PC about everything aren’t we? But Martyn goes beyond that and I think tackles gay people as real people! All the characters in the play are damaged in some way.

Review: The Glass Supper at the Hampstead Theatre (Downstairs)

The Glass Supper

Hampstead Theatre (Downstairs)

Reviewed on Saturday 29th June 2014 

Martyn Hesford's The Glass Supper is a fascinating play. At a glance the piece appears harmless but as the characters unravel The Glass Supper becomes a dark and adventurous play with few limitations. Marcus and Colin have moved to the countryside for a quieter life and all is going swimmingly until Steven, his considerably younger boyfriend Jamie and the show-stealing Wendy turn up for supper.

GOSSIP: Sunny Afternoon transferring to Harold Pinter Theatre?

According to the Daily Mail, Sunny Afternoon will open at the Harold Pinter Theatre in late September. It is thought producer Sonia Friedman is behind the transfer of The Kinks musical which premiered at the Hampstead Theatre earlier this year.

Further information to be announced.

Ray Davies’ extraordinary life story is told with Music and Lyrics by Ray Davies, a new Book by Joe Penhall, Direction by Edward Hall and Design by Miriam Buether. 

Michelle Collins to star in The Glass Supper at the Hampstead Theatre

It has been announced that Michelle Collins will star in The Glass Supper at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs.

Written by BAFTA-nominee Martyn Hesford, The Glass Supper opens on Monday 30th June (previews from 25th June) and runs until Saturday 26th July 2014.

The Glass Supper is described as a "blistering, poetic, comic new drama about the search for love and sex in the modern world." 

Marcus and Colin have escaped the madness of London to live in the peaceful countryside. But will this new idyllic reality soon be shattered when Steven, his beautiful young boyfriend, Jamie, and the enigmatic Wendy arrive unexpectedly for supper?

Hampstead's Good People confirms West End transfer starring Imelda Staunton & Lloyd Owen

It has been confirmed that Good People will transfer from the Hampstead Theatre to the Noel Coward Theatre. The production opens on Tuesday 15th April 2014 (previews from 10th April).

Good People will run in the West End for ten weeks, filling the gap between The Full Monty (which is closing early on Saturday 29th March) and Shakespeare in Love which premieres in July.

Jonathan Kent's production, about whether you can ever truly leave the place where you were born, made its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre on 5th March starring Imelda Staunton and Lloyd Owen. The show originally premiered on Broadway, winning the New York Drama Desk Critic’s Circle Award for Best Play. 

Review: Tu I Teraz (Here & Now) at the Hampstead Theatre

Tu I Teraz (Here & Now)

Hampstead Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 20th December 2012 (Press Night)

"Marysia moved to England a long time ago. As far as she is concerned she has started a new life here with her teenage son, Kuba. But when her sister Anna arrives from Poland unexpectedly it forces her to think again about her choices. Should you leave your past behind and start over again or is where you come from the most important thing about you? And has Marysia really left everything from her past behind or is she hiding a secret?"

Tu I Teraz is an intriguing new play by Nicola Werenowska which explores issues surrounding immigration and family loyalties.