Iain Glen joins Greig & Sessions in Hampstead’s Longing

Glen’s theatre credits include Uncle Vanya (Print Room), Ghosts (Duchess Theatre) and The Crucible (RSC). Film credits include The Iron Lady, Pope Joan and Harry Brown, and TV appearances include Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey.

Directed by Nina Raine, William Boyd’s debut play combines two of Chekhov’s short stories, spinning a tale of nineteenth century Russian life. When Kolia is invited to visit his oldest friends on their Estate in the country he anticipates a pleasant break from Moscow life. But as the comedy of provincial life plays out around him, he finds himself adrift in a sea of false expectations, missed opportunities and unspoken passions.

Tamsin Greig’s most recent theatre credit was the West End transfer of Jumpy, also directed by Nina Raine. Previous stage plays include The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick), Gethsemene (NT) and God of Carnage (Geilgud). John Sessions’ theatre appearances include My Night With Reg (Royal Court/ Criterion), Waiting for Godot (Young Vic) and The Orton Diaries (NT).

Nina Raine returns to Hampstead following her 2010 sell-out play Tiger Country, which she both wrote and directed. She has also directed Shades (Royal Court) and Unprotected (Liverpool Everyman) for which she won the TMA Best Director Award.

Other cast will include Alan Cox, Tom Georgeson, Mary Roscoe, Natasha Little, Eve Ponsonby, William Postlethwaite and Catrin Stewart. Longing will be designed by Lizzie Clachan, with lighting by James Farncombe and sound by Gareth Fry, and will run until 13 April.

– by Hayley Minn