The play written by Penelope Skinner and directed by Ian Rickson, will begin performances at the Harold Pinter Theatre from the 17th October.
Sonia Friedman Productions has today announced that Kristin Scott Thomas (Electra, Darkest Hour) and Lily James (All About Eve, Pam & Tommy) will star in the world premiere of Lyonesse, a new play from Penelope Skinner (The Village Bike, Fresh Meat) for a strictly limited season from the 17 October – 23 December 2023 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Tickets will go on sale at midday on Thursday 29th June.
Elaine (Kristin Scott Thomas) a reclusive and talented actress, disappears in mysterious circumstances. 30 years later, she finally feels ready to tell her story – summoning Kate, a
young film executive (Lily James), to her remote Cornish home to assist with her glorious comeback. But who really controls the stories we tell, and how we get to tell them? Will these women own their narrative, or will it be swept away from them at any given moment?
The production will see Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James appear on stage together for the first time, having appeared together in the Oscar and BAFTA winning film Darkest Hour (Working Title Films/ Universal) and screen adaptation of Daphne De Maurier’s Rebecca (Netflix/ Working Title).
Penelope Skinner, who won the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright for The Village Bike, said: “I am thrilled to be working with Ian Rickson to bring this story to
life, alongside such a remarkable cast and creative team. I’m a huge admirer of both Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James, and am so grateful for Sonia Friedman’s faith and vision in
giving this new play a home in the West End. I was inspired to write Lyonesse after wondering what would happen if the dramatic action of a traditional revenge tragedy wasflipped, so that the story instead became about the person upon whom revenge had been sworn. Themes of creativity, purpose, isolation, violence, magic and mothers rushed to join
in with this central provocation, and the characters of the story came into being.”
The creative team behind this world premiere production will include: designs by Georgia Lowe, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Tingying Dong.
Kristin Scott Thomas said: ‘Working with Ian is one of the great joys of my professional life. And a new play is such an adventure. Penelope Skinner’s writing had me gripped from
the first page. I love the questions the story raises. Acting with Lily is starting to become a habit. Luckily it’s good for everyone!”
To find out more about the production visit: https://lyonesseonstage.com/