The production will run at Richmond’s St John the Divine Church from the 12 October and runs until 7 November before transferring to Theatre Royal Bath from 10 to 21 November.
The Orange Tree Theatre has confirmed complete casting for Murder in the Cathedral, directed by OT’s Artistic Director Tom Littler with the OT’s Community Director, Francesca Ellis.
Joining the previously announced David Suchet (Thomas Becket) are Mensah Bediako (Third Priest), Ben Caplan (Second Tempter, Second Knight), Paul Hickey (Second Priest), Jyuddah Jaymes (First Tempter, First Knight), Michael Lyle (First Priest), Nick Sampson (Third Tempter, Third Knight), Jad Sayegh (Messenger) and David Yelland (Fourth Tempter, Fourth Knight). In Richmond, the Chorus will be led by Sally Cheng, Sonya Cullingford, Chyna-Rose Frederick and Rebecca Thorn, who will then be joined in Bath by Rebecca Askew, Florence Dobson, Samantha Dorsey, Beatrice John, Yuki Sutton and Hannah Whitehouse. For the performances in Richmond, the Women of Canterbury will be played by a community ensemble.
A nation divided. Once the best of friends, King Henry II and his Archbishop, Thomas Becket, are now mortal enemies. Ignoring his allies’ fears, Becket, the ‘turbulent priest’, returns to Canterbury, tempting the monarch’s wrath. As the women of Canterbury seek shelter in the sacred space of the cathedral, four knights ride out on a deadly mission. The only question: who will blink first?
OT’s Artistic Director, Tom Littler said: “It’s a particular pleasure to welcome this exceptional company to join David Suchet, who leads the production as Becket. Murder in the Cathedral is one of the great achievements of twentieth century verse drama, and Eliot’s questions of conscience and power feel as urgent now as when he wrote them. I’m especially proud that our Women of Canterbury will be played by members of our community ensemble, continuing the Orange Tree’s commitment to building genuine links with the people and communities around us. This is set to be a truly special production, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
Also on the creative team are: Rob Jones (Set Designer); Cat Fuller (Costume Designer); Peter Mumford (Lighting Designer); Max Pappenheim (Sound Designer & Associate Music Director); Michael Waldron (Music Director); Orlando Gough (Composer); Matilda James CDG (Casting Director); Lizzi Kew Ross (Movement Director); Emily Chase (Casting Assistant); Flora Emily Thomson (Assistant Director); Zoë Thomas-Webb (Associate Costume Designer).
To book tickets for the Richmond run visit: https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/murder-cathedral/