Theatre News

New Vic’s Thrill of Love heads to St James Theatre in March

The New Vic’s world premiere production of The Thrill of Love will transfer to the St James Theatre from 27 March 2013, following runs at the New Vic and Stephen Joseph Theatres.

The new play from Amanda Whittington, which opens at the New Vic on 22 February, tells the story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain after being convicted of killing her unfaithful lover.

The Thrill of Love is directed by the New Vic’s former artistic associate James Dacre (As You Like It, The Mountaintop) and promises to “take a new look at Ruth Ellis’ story behind the headlines and the events that drove her to murder”.

Whittington’s plays have included Be My Baby, Bollywood Jane, Ladies Day and Satin n’ Steel. She said of her latest project: “I have always been interested in the stories of women and stories of injustice so naturally I was interested in the Ruth Ellis story. She was an East End hostess in a nightclub in the West End and this notorious criminal moment in her life changed everything. We know what she did, I wanted to know why she did it.”

The Thrill of Love’s cast includes Faye Castelow (Nijinsky, Chichester Festival Theatre), Hilary Tones (Swallows and Amazons, national tour), Maya Wasowicz (Faith Machine, Royal Court) and Katie West (Punk Rock, Lyric Hammersmith). Mark Meadows will play Inspector Gale at the New Vic and Stephen Joseph Theatres; the part will be re-cast for the St James run.

With design by Jonathan Fensom, lighting design by Daniella Beattie and sound design by James Earls-Davis, The Thrill of Love runs at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 22 February to 9 March, the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from 13 to 23 March and the St James Theatre, London from 27 March to 4 May 2013.