Damian Lewis
Tweet

Cast: Lewis Upholds Pillars; Richard, Nathan & Boy

Damian Lewis (pictured) will star in the National’s upcoming revival of Henrik Ibsen’s rarely performed 1877 thriller Pillars of the Community (See News, 4 Jul 2005). Timed to mark the centenary of the Norwegian dramatist’s death, Samuel Adamson’s new version, directed by Marianne Elliott, opens in the NT Lyttelton repertoire on 1 November 2005 (previews from 21 October).

Lewis plays Bernick, whose business prowess and pristine reputation are threatened by the revelation of a long-buried secret. Desperate to dodge exposure in the kow-towing local community, he devises a pitiless plan which, by a shocking twist of fate, risks the one life he holds dear.

Though now best known for screen roles such as Band of Brothers, Dreamcatcher, Jeffrey Archer: The Truth, Chromophobia, Colditz, Hearts and Bones and The Forsyte Saga, Lewis started his career in the theatre, where his earlier credits included Hamlet, Cymbeline and Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC, Into the Woods at the Donmar and School for Wives at the Almeida. Last year, he returned to the Almeida to star in the world premiere of Five Gold Rings.

In Pillars of the Community, Lewis will be joined by Geraldine Alexander (The Holy Terror) as Betty and Lesley Manville (just seen in the West End with David Schwimmer in Some Girls) as Lona Hessel. The cast also includes: Brid Brennan (as Marta Bernick), Michelle Dockery (Dina Dorf), Michael Gould (Knap), Annabel Leventon (Mrs Rummel), Pamela Merrick (Mrs Lynge), Paul Moriarty (Aune), Justin Salinger (Hilmar Tonnesen), Una Stubbs (Mrs Holt) and Michael Thomas (Rorlund).

In other casting updates for upcoming plays:

And back at the National, the cast for Helen Edmundson’s adaptation of Jamila Gavin’s Whitbread Award-winning children’s book Coram Boy will include: Sophie Bould (Alice ), Bertie Carvel (Adult Alex), Abby Ford (Young Thomas), Ruth Gemmell (Mrs Lynch), Akiya Henry (Toby ), Rebecca Johnson (Lady Ashbrook), Inika Leigh Wright (Miss Price), Stuart McLoughlin (Adult Thomas), Anna Madeley (Young Alex / Aaron), Katherine Manners (Edward), Eve Matheson (Mrs Milcote), Justine Mitchell (Melissa), Paul Ritter (Otis Gardiner / Mr Philip Gaddarn), Jack Tarlton (Meshak Gardiner) and Kelly Williams (Isobel). Melly Still directs the premiere production, which opens in the NT Olivier on 15 November 2005 (previews from 2 November).

- by Terri Paddock

Related Content