Theatre News

Dominic Cooper to star in The Libertine

The ”History Boys” star has been cast as the Earl of Rochester

Dominic Cooper
Dominic Cooper
© Johan Persson

Producers have announced that Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper will play the lead role in a brand new staging of The Libertine later this year.

Known for his appearance in the hit Abba film alongside Meryl Streep and Julie Walters, as well as the stage and screen versions of The History Boys, Cooper will play the Earl of Rochester in Stephen Jeffreys' (A Going Concern, The Clink and Valued Friends) play, opening at the Theatre Royal Bath in August prior to a West End transfer.

Directed by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning Terry Johnson (Mrs Henderson Presents, La Cage Aux Folles), Jeffreys' play is set in the Restoration era and tells the true story of John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester.

Written in 1994, The Libertine was first performed on tour and at the Royal Court Theatre, before transferring to Chicago’s Steppenwolf starring John Malkovich. Johnny Depp took the title role in the 2004 film adaptation.

The Libertine runs at the Theatre Royal in Bath from 31 August – 17 September and the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 22 September.

Click here to buy tickets for The Libertine