Theatre News

Black Watch‘s Lowden plays Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire

Jack Lowden will portray Olympic athlete Eric Liddell in the Hampstead Theatre’s upcoming stage adaptation of Chariots of Fire.

Adapted by Mike Bartlett and directed by Hampstead artistic director Edward Hall, Chariots of Fire runs from 22 May (previews from 9 May) to 16 June 2012 ahead of the forthcoming London Olympics.

Lowden’s previous credits include playing Cammy in the National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch
whilst still studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
(now the Royal Scottish Conservatoire). His previous theatre credits
include Peter Pan for Kudos Entertainment and Being Victor, Mr Moonlight and A Beautiful Day on television and radio.

Further casting for Chariots of Fire is still to be announced.

Billed as “one of the most thrilling Olympic stories”, it centres on two great athletes – Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams (played in the film by Ian Charleson and Ben Cross) – outsiders who overcame prejudice and personal strife to compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

The 1981 film Chariots of Fire starring Ian Charleson & Ben Cross

Chariots of Fire is designed by Miriam Buether (who worked on Bartlett’s Earthquakes in London) and will “transform” the theatre into its very own stadium, giving an “immersive experience that evokes the 1924 Olympics”.

The production will also feature the music of the legendary Vangelis score with additional live music and arrangements by Tony Award winning composer Jason Carr.

Writer Mike Bartlett’s previous plays include Earthquakes in London for Headlong Theatre, 13 for the National, Love, Love, Love for Paines Plough (soon to be staged at the Royal Court), Contractions, My Child and the Olivier Award-winning Cock at the Royal Court, and Artefacts at the Bush. He is currently Writer-in-Residence at the National Theatre.