Rachael Stirling to join Martin Freeman in Labour of Love

Olivier Award nominee Rachael Stirling, known for her television roles in The Game and Capital, will join Martin Freeman and Sarah Lancashire in James Graham‘s new play Labour of Love.

Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the full cast will also include Kwong Loke, Dickon Tyrrell and Susan Wokoma. The show opens on 25 September at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End.

Graham’s play, a political comedy, sees Labour MP David Lyons (Freeman) battling to innovate his party against the backdrop of its traditional northern heartlands. The show reunites Graham and Herrin following their previous collaboration on Headlong’s This House, which was recently revived at the Garrick Theatre.

Stirling, daughter of actress Diana Rigg, plays Elizabeth Lyons in the production – her first with Headlong since Medea in 2012. Her past theatre work includes The Winter’s Tale (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), The Recruiting Officer (Donmar Warehouse), An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre) and The Priory (Royal Court Theatre). She was twice nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in the latter two shows.

Echoing previous Michael Grandage Company seasons at the theatre, there will be 20,000 tickets available at £10 for the duration of the run.

Labour of Love runs at the Noel Coward Theatre from 25 September to 2 December, with previews from 15 September.