The West End transfer of Robert Icke’s production was supposed to have opened for previews at the Duke of York’s Theatre on the 20th April.
It has been confirmed that due to Covid-19 theatre closures, the West End run of Robert Icke’s Almeida Theatre production has now been postponed until 2021.
While dates for the new run have yet to be announced, the production will see Juliet Stevenson reprising her role in the production – with further casting to be announced.
In a statement, Juliet Stevenson said: “Very occasionally in a career, maybe once a decade if you’re lucky, you get the chance to perform in a play that speaks so powerfully to its time that it captures everyone’s hearts and minds. The Doctor did that last year at the Almeida, and was set to do it again in the West End when Covid-19 brought it crashing to a halt – along with almost everything else. Whilst accepting the inevitable, I was pretty gutted – and am missing the production, the wonderful company, the character, and above all the experience of taking the play out there nightly to new and hungry audiences.So I am thrilled that we will be back next Spring, and that audiences emerging from their seclusion will have the chance to see it.“
First, do no harm.
On an ordinary day, at a private hospital, a young woman fights for her life. A priest arrives to save her soul. Her doctor refuses him entry.
In a divisive time, in a divided nation, a society takes sides.
The production, freely adapted from Professor Bernhardi by Arthur Schnitzler, was first performed at the Almeida Theatre in August 2019. It went on to win the Best Director award for the production for Robert Icke, at the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards in November 2019, while Juliet jointly won the Best Actress award, at this year’s Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards for her portrayal of Dr Ruth Wolff.
It features designs by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound and composition by Tom Gibbons and casting by Julia Horan.