It has been confirmed that the actor will direct a new production of Christopher Hampton’s play at the Trafalgar Studios, opening for previews from the 3rd April.
Out in the ‘real world’ the Prime Minister and his cabinet have been assassinated and England’s most treasured writers are being murdered one by one! Back in the cosy bubble of university life, a bachelor don anguishes over sex, marriage, anagrams and the meaning of life. Did someone suggest academics were ‘out of touch’?
Christopher Hampton’s play first premiered in 1970 at the Royal Court Theatre, now it is being revived for new audiences by Simon Callow at the Trafalgar Studios.
This new production will star Matt Berry, Simon Bird, Lily Cole, Charlotte Ritchie and Tom Rosenthal all playing characters at the age that Hampton had written them as.
Hampton wrote the play as a response to Moliere’s The Misanthrope. The playwright’s work also includes Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Treats as well as translations of Florian Zeller’s The Father, The Mother and The Truth.
Simon Callow’s production is being produced in the West End by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Entertainment Group, Simon Friend and Gavin Kalin.
Previously, Simon Callow has directed over thirty shows, such as the multi award-winning musical Carmen Jones, the West End and Broadway productions of Shirley Valentine and the award-winning Single Spies by Alan Bennett at the National Theatre and in the West End.
Matt Berry’s credits includes ‘The IT Crowd’, ‘The Mighty Boosh’ (BBC3), and as star and writer of sitcom ‘Toast of London’ (Channel 4).
Lily Cole is best recognised for her roles in ‘St Trinians’, ‘Ab Fab: The Movie’, and ‘Snow White and The Huntsman’.
Simon Bird is known for his performance in the BAFTA winning ‘The Inbetweeners’ (E4).
Tom Rosenthal’s credits include ‘Friday Night Dinner’ (Channel 4), ‘Plebs’ (ITV2), and ‘Broadchurch’ (ITV).
The Philanthropist will play at the Trafalgar Studios from the 3rd April until the 22nd July. To book tickets visit: ATG Tickets, Discount Theatre.com, Love Theatre.com, UK Tickets.co.uk and Theatre People.com.