The production is set to open for previews at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 26th February.
It has been announced that Sasha Frost and Fred Fergus will star as Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth respectively in Jeff James and James Yeatman’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, opening at Rose Theatre on the 3rd March, with previews from 26th February and running until 19th March 2022. The production will then run at Alexandra Palace from the 7th to 30th April, followed by Oxford Playhouse from the 4th to the 14th May 2022. This is a Rose Original and Alexandra Palace production in association with Oxford Playhouse.
They will be joined in the cast by Matilda Bailes as Elizabeth/Louisa, Grace Cookey-Gam as Lady Russell/Mrs Croft, Helen Cripps as Mary, Adam Deary as Edmund Hayter/ Captain Benwick/Mr Elliot, Emilio Doorgasingh as Sir Walter/Admiral Croft, Caroline Moroney as Mrs Clay/Henrietta and Dorian Simpson as Charles.
When Frederick Wentworth proposed to Anne Elliot eight years ago, he was undistinguished with no prospects, only able to offer his love and ambition. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne has never quite got over her first love. But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful, single and handsome, the now decorated naval Captain has become a serious catch. When circumstances bring the two face to face again, Anne’s forced to confront her past and face up to her choices.
This twenty-first century adaptation is directed by by Jeff James, with design by Alex Lowde, lighting design by Lucy Carter, music and sound design by Ben & Max Ringham, movement by Morgann Runacre-Temple and dramaturgy by James Yeatman. The assistant director is Layla Madanat, the recipient of Rose Theatre’s 2021 Peter Hall Emerging Artists Fellowship.