Theatre News

Almeida revisits Ibsen and Chekhov in new season

Richard Eyre and Robert Icke will present new versions of ”Little Eyolf” and ”Uncle Vanya”

Richard Eyre and Stephen Mear
Richard Eyre returns to the Almeida with Little Eyolf
© David McNeil

The Almeida Theatre has announced its winter season, which features productions of Ibsen's Little Eyolf and Chekhov's Uncle Vanya.

Little Eyolf, which runs from 19 November to 9 January, will be adapted and directed by Richard Eyre, following his acclaimed Almeida productions of Ibsen's Ghosts and Hedda Gabler.

Jolyon Coy (Our Boys, Posh) and Lydia Leonard (RSC's Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies) will lead a cast which also includes Sam Hazeldine, Eve Ponsonby and Eileen Walsh.

Paul Rhys will make his Almeida debut
Paul Rhys will make his Almeida debut
© Dan Wooller

Design is by Tim Hatley with light by Peter Mumford, sound by John Leonard and video by Jon Driscoll. Casting is by Cara Beckinsale.

Next up, Almeida associate Robert Icke (Oresteia, 1984) directs his new version of Uncle Vanya, described in press material as "Chekhov’s greatest play".

Paul Rhys (Complicite's Measure for Measure and The Master and Margarita) makes his Almeida debut in the title role.

Uncle Vanya runs from 5 February to 26 March 2016, with further casting and creative team to be announced.

Artistic director Rupert Goold said of the new season: "We follow our Almeida Greeks with a double-header of late 19th-century masterpieces by two of the world's most important and influential playwrights.

"Written less than five years apart, these plays offer startlingly fresh reflections on our lives and our theatre – and how we can understand them."