James Dacre‘s production will begin performances at the Rose Theatre from the 9th September.

Joining the previously announced Anton Lesser (Pope Benedict XVI) and Nicholas Woodeson (Cardinal Bergoglio – the future Pope Francis) in the London premiere and tour of Anthony McCarten’s The Two Popes will be: Lynsey Beauchamp as Sister Brigitta and Leaphia Darko as Sister Sophia, with Malcolm James and Angela Jones in the ensemble.

James Dacre’s production will run at the Rose Theatre from the 9th to the 23rd September, before travelling to Cambridge Arts Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Oxford Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bath.

Nine years ago, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by resigning, the first Pope in 700 years to do so. What drove this archconservative to break with sacred tradition and make way for a former tango club bouncer and football-loving reformer with the common touch, to become Pope Francis?

The Two Popes premiered at Royal & Derngate, Northampton in 2019 and was adapted into the multi-award-winning film, for which McCarten was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Awards. 

This production of the play features original music by Grammy and BRIT Award-winning composer Anne Dudley, the production is designed by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting design by Charles Balfour, sound design by David Gregory and video & projection design by Duncan McLean. The Associate Director is Sarah Stacey, the Associate Lighting Designer is Ric Mountjoy, and original casting was by Annelie Powell CDG and Stuart Burt CDG.

To find out more and to book tickets visit: https://rosetheatre.org/whats-on/the-two-popes