Theatre News

Linda Bassett withdraws from Donmar's The Way of the World as the show's cast is announced

The show opens at the Donmar Warehouse in April

Linda Bassett, Haydn Gwynne and Justine Mitchell
Linda Bassett, Haydn Gwynne and Justine Mitchell
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Linda Bassett has withdrawn from a forthcoming production of William Congreve's The Way of the World at the Donmar Warehouse, with the show's full casting announced.

Bassett, who has withdrawn for personal reasons, was due to play the role of Lady Wishfort. She will be replaced by Haydn Gwynne (The Threepenny Opera, Coriolanus, The Audience), with the show directed by James Macdonald (Drunk Enough to Say I Love You).

The cast will also include Fisayo Akinade (Saint Joan), Alex Beckett (Grimly Handsome), Gabrielle Brooks (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Frances Brown (Life According to Saki), Sarah Hadland (Miranda), Jenny Jules (Julius Caesar), Simon Manyonda (Barber Shop Chronicles), Caroline Martin (Medea), Tom Mison (Posh), Justine Mitchell (Beginning), Christian Patterson (My Country), Geoffrey Streatfeild (My Night With Reg) and Nathan Welsh (Circa).

Following the dysfunctional family of Lady Wishfort, Congreve's ensemble piece is a satirical comedy that first debuted in 1700. It will have design by Anna Fleischle, lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound design by Max Pappenheim and movement direction by Francine Watson Coleman.

The show will run at the Donmar after the completion of the current run of The York Realist, which stars Ben Batt and Jonathan Bailey.

The Way of the World runs at Donmar Warehouse from 5 April to 26 May with previews from 29 March.