The new season at London's Almeida Theatre will be led by the return of Ralph Fiennes, who previously played the title role in Hamlet at the venue in a production that subsequently went to Broadway, in a new production of Richard III that will also feature Vanessa Redgrave, while a new production of Hamlet will star Andrew Scott. Also in the season are two world premieres.
In a press statement, artistic director Rupert Goold (who is currently reprising his directorial duties on American Psycho on Broadway that he originally directed at the Almeida), has commented, “Rupert Goold said: 'We're thrilled to present a season of plays which, whether classic drama or new writing, ask the big questions the Almeida is renowned for. How far will someone go for power? And what can one person do about global, international problems?
“We’re reviving two of Shakespeare's most potent and political tragedies with some of our greatest actors. We welcome Ralph Fiennes back to the Almeida as Richard III, a character at once Machiavellian and totally recognisable to a modern audience. To see the man who has played both Voldemort and Amon Göth in this role in our intimate space will be an extraordinary event. We're delighted he will be joined by Vanessa Redgrave in her Almeida debut as Queen Margaret. Andrew Scott will provide a startlingly fresh take on Hamlet, a tragedy which needs no introduction to modern audiences: and with Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude, in a production directed by Robert Icke, we'll see the latent theatricality of the play laid bare. Adam Brace's They Drink It In The Congo and Ella Hickson's Oil are urgent and anarchic new plays about the increasingly small, fragmented world we live in. Playful in approach and epic in form, they take us on international journeys, exploring our dependency on limited resources and the costs of modern living.”
Richard III will begin performances June 7 prior to an official opening June 14, for a run through August 6. It is directed by Rupert Goold with designs by Hildegard Bechtler, costumes by Jon Morrell, sound and composition by Adam Cork, lighting by Jon Clark and fight direction by Terry King. The cast will also include David Annen, Tom Canton, James Garnon, Mark Hadfield, Scott Handy, Finbar Lynch, Aislίn McGuckin, Joseph Mydell, Joshua Riley, Lukas Rolfe and Joanna Vanderham.
They Drink it in the Congo will begin performances August 12 prior to an official opening August 19, for a run through October 1. Michael Longhurst, who previously directed Carmen Disruption at the venue last year, will direct, with designs by Jon Bauser, lighting by Jack Knowles, sound by Giles Thomas and composition by Michael Henry.
Oil will begin performances October 7 prior to an official opening October 14, for a run through November 26. Carrie Cracknell will direct the play that according to press materials drills deep into the world’s relationship with this finite resource, set from 1889 to 2016 and beyond. It will be designed by Vicki Mortimer, with movement by Joseph Alford, lighting by Lucy Carter, composition by Stuart Earl and sound by Peter Rice.
Hamlet will be staged in February 2017, with performance dates to be announced when tickets go on sale in the fall of 2016. Andrew Scott will play the title role with Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude, under the direction of Robert Icke. It will be designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting by Natasha Chivers and sound by Tom Gibbons.
Tickets for the new season, excluding Hamlet, will go on public sale May 12, with priority booking from May 3. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7359 4404 or visit almeida.co.uk
