It has been confirmed that Cressida Bonas and Peter Hamilton are set to star in Jimmy Walters’ production of Tony Cox’s play, running at the Old Red Lion Theatre from the 1st August. 

University College hospital, London, 1949.

1984 has just been published and George Orwell is in the last chapter of his life with a severe case of Tuberculosis. He still believes he has at least three novels in him so to keep his morale up he promptly proposes to friend Sonia Brownell, a 30 year old assistant magazine editor.

When Sonia learns that she is his only hope, she must decide whether to succumb to the advances of Lucien Freud or enter a platonic marriage with one of the country’s most renowned writers.

Based on true events, this production of  Tony Cox’s play is set to star: Cressida Bonas (Doctor Thorne, ITV), Peter Hamilton Dyer (Twelfth Night and Richard III (Broadway for Shakespeare’s Globe),Rosie Ede (Doc Martin, Call The Midwife and 1984 (West End) Digby Jones (The Crown, (Netflix), Quacks (BBC), Outlander) and Robert Stocks (Jeeves and Wooster A Perfect Nonsense (World Tour), Get Santa (The Royal Court)).

Talking about the production Jimmy Walters said: “Orwell couldn’t be more relevant today and we will give the audience a glance into the private life of one of the most public figures of his generation. Tony’s writing dances between hilarity and poignancy and is by far the best script I’ve read in recent years. I really can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

The creative team will include designs by Rebecca Brower and lighting by Simon Gethin Thomas.

Mrs Orwell will play at the Old Red Lion Theatre from the 1st to the 26th August. For more information visit: http://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/mrs-orwell.html