I’ve already written of my excitement for the forthcoming Persuasion and the announcement of the cast hasn’t lessened the thrill at all. Lara Rossi takes on the role of Austenโs heroine Anne alongside Samuel Edward-Cook as Captain Wentworth. The cast is completed by Geraldine Alexander, Antony Bunsee, Helen Cripps, Cassie Layton, Caroline Moroney, Dorian Simpson and Arthur Wilson.
Directing them is Jeff James, “one of the UKโs most original young theatre makers”, who has adapted and is directing this bold retelling of Jane Austenโs final masterpiece at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Designed by Alex Lowde this contemporary production of Austenโs beautifully crafted novel discards the bonnets and trappings of formal life for a startlingly modern vision of Austen. Developed in collaboration with dramaturg James Yeatman and with sound design from the award-winning Ben and Max Ringham, Persuasion runs from 25 May to 24 June 2017.
Gershwyn Eustache Jnr., Paul Hilton, Peter Hobday, Adelle Leonce, Sarah Malin, Jodie McNee, Hattie Morahan, Kate OโFlynn and Dickon Tyrrell have been cast in Alice Birchโs Anatomy of a Suicide directed by Katie Mitchell. It runs in the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs 3 June 2017 โ 8 July 2017, with set design by Alex Eales, costume design by Sarah Blenkinsop, lighting by James Farncombe, music by Paul Clark and sound by Melanie Wilson