Theatre News

Full cast announced for Almeida's Oresteia

”Downton Abbey” star Jessica Brown Findlay is among the cast of Robert Icke’s production

Jessica Brown Findlay in Downton Abbey
Jessica Brown Findlay in Downton Abbey
© ITV

Full casting has been announced for Robert Icke's upcoming production of Oresteia at Almeida Theatre, which opens on 29 May.

Joining the previously announced Lia Williams will be Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay, Amelia Baldock, Lorna Brown, Rudi Dharmalingam, Ann Firbank, Ilan Galkoff, Joshua Higgott, Cameron Lane, John Mackay, Clara Read, Eve Salama, Bobby Smalldridge, Luke Thompson, Angus Wright and Hara Yannas.

Aeschylus's final play, Oresteia is a family drama spanning several decades, and the production forms part of the Almeida's upcoming Greek season; other productions include Medea and Bakkhai.

Oresteia has design by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and video by Tim Reid. It runs from 29 May to 18 July 2015.


Cast

Amelia Baldock
Making her stage debut. Film and television credits include Katy Brand’s Little Cracker (Sky 1) and Gifted (Sky Arts).

Lorna Brown
Theatre includes: Blurred Lines, Medea, Damned by Despair (National Theatre), Clybourne Park (Royal Court/ Wyndham's Theatre), Little Light (Orange Tree), The Crowning Glory, The Big Life (Theatre Royal, Stratford East).

Jessica Brown Findlay
Television includes: Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey, Jamaica Inn, Labyrinth and Black Mirror: 15 Million Merits. Film includes: Albatross, Winter’s Tale, Lullaby and The Riot Club.

Rudi Dharmalingam
Theatre includes: Dara, England People Very Nice, Playing with Fire, Rafta Rafta, The History Boys (National Theatre), Hope (Royal Court), Worst Wedding Ever (Salisbury Playhouse) and The Events (Young Vic/ Edinburgh Fringe/ UK Tour).

Ann Firbank
Theatre includes: Macbeth (Almeida), The Crucible (Old Vic), To Kill A Mockingbird, Three Sisters, An Ideal Husband, Separate Tables, Habitat (Manchester Royal Exchange), The Golden Dragon (Arcola/ Tour) and Billy Liar (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Ilan Galkoff
Theatre includes: Oliver!, Les Misérables, I Can’t Sing! and Matilda The Musical. Television includes Wizards vs Aliens and Grandpa In My Pocket (CBeebies).

Joshua Higgott
Theatre includes: Shakespeare in Love (Noël Coward Theatre), 1984 (Almeida), The Alchemist (Liverpool Everyman) and Romeo and Juliet (ADC Theatre).

Cameron Lane
Lane is making his stage debut. He is soon to appear in upcoming BBC Drama The Outcast based on Sadie Jones’ best-selling novel.

John Mackay
Theatre includes: Little Eagles, Anthony and Cleopatra, King Lear, Winter’s Tale, Julius Caesar, The Grainstore, The Histories, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Pilate, Hamlet, Macbeth (RSC) Richard III, As You Like It, Troilus and Cressida, The Winter’s Tale, Measure for Measure (Tobacco Factory).

Clara Read
Theatre includes: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Hong Kong). Since moving back to London a year ago she has been an active member of the Young Actors Theatre in Islington.

Eve Salama
Salama is making her stage debut at the Almeida with Oresteia.

Bobby Smalldridge
Smalldridge is currently training at Sylvia Young Theatre School. Theatre includes God Bless the Child (Royal Court) and Billy Elliot the Musical (West End).

Luke Thompson
Theatre includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (for which he was shortlisted for the Evening Standard Outstanding Newcomer award), Blue Stockings, Julius Caesar, The Broken Heart (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre).

Lia Williams
Theatre includes: Celebration (Almeida) The Homecoming, The Room, Celebration, The Lover, The Collection, The Hothouse, Oleanna (National Theatre), Arcadia and Skylight (West End).

Angus Wright
Theatre includes: The Cherry Orchard (Young Vic), The Cat in the Hat (Young Vic/ National Theatre), Wastwater (Royal Court), The Seagull, A Dream Play and Three Sisters (National Theatre) and Privates on Parade (West End).

Hara Yannas
Theatre includes: 1984, The House of Bernarda Alba (Almeida), Mare Rider (Arcola/ European Tour), Britannicus (Wilton's Music Hall), Pericles (Regent's Park), Uncle Vanya (Arcola), Tales of the Harrow Road (Soho Theatre) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe).