Film Star Blanchett Stars in Plenty Revival

Film star Cate Blanchett is confirmed to play the lead in the Almeida revival of David Hare's Plenty. The production, mounted at the Albery Theatre, the Almeida's residence in the West End, will open 27 April 1999 (with previews from 15 April) and will run until 10 July. This is the first major revival of the 1970s play since its premiere at the National Theatre in April 1978.

Blanchett will play Susan Traherne whose life in dissent is traced over 20 years, from France in 1943 to London in the 1960s. The film adaptation of the play, released in 1985, starred Meryl Streep as Traherne.

Blanchett is currently being seen on the big screen in the UK in Shakhar Kapur's film Elizabeth, in which she plays the monarch. The Australian actress's other film credits include The Talented Mr Ripley, Oscar and Lucinda and An Ideal Husband. Her theatre work includes The Seagull, Oleanna and Top Girls for the Sydney Theatre Company. Debra Gillett and Julian Wadham join Blanchett in the cast of Plenty.

David Hare has written 17 plays for the stage including Skylight, Amy's View and The Judas Kiss, all of which have had highly successful West End runs. The Blue Room, his adaptation of La Ronde which starred Nicole Kidman and Iain Glen at London's Donmar Warehouse, has recently transferred to Broadway.

Plenty is directed by Jonathan Kent, joint artistic director of the Almeida. His productions of Racine's Phedre and Britannicus finish their repertory on 12 December at the Albery Theatre before transferring to Broadway. Designs for Plenty are by Maria Bjornson, with music by Jonathan Dove and lighting by Mark Henderson.

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