Theatre News

Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden to star in Measure for Measure as Donmar Warehouse announces new productions

Josie Rourke will direct Shakespeare’s comedy and Lyndsey Turner will direct Brian Friel’s Aristocrats

Jack Lowden, Hayley Atwell and David Dawson
Jack Lowden, Hayley Atwell and David Dawson
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden are to alternate the roles of the deputy – Angelo – and the novice – Isabella – in Measure for Measure at the Donmar Warehouse.

Artistic director of the theatre Josie Rourke will reimagine the play in its original year of performance, 1604, and also in 2018. It will have design by Peter McKintosh and lighting by Howard Harrison and runs from 11 October to 24 November 2018 with previews from 28 September.

Measure for Measure is announced alongside Brian Friel's Aristocrats, directed by Lyndsey Turner from August 2 to 22 September. Turner (Hamlet, Barbican, Chimerica, Almeida) will direct Friel's 1979 play which is about the financial collapse of a once-influential family with a cast including Elaine Cassidy (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), David Dawson (The Dazzle), David Ganly (Girl from the North Country), Emmet Kirwan (The Threepenny Opera), Aisling Loftus (The Treatment, Mr Selfridge), Ciaran McIntyre (Lady Chatterley's Lover) and Eileen Walsh (Absolute Hell).

Full casting has also been announced for Polly Findlay's production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Edward MacLiam joins the previously announced cast which includes Lia Williams, Nicola Coughlan, Emma Hindle, Rona Morison, Grace Saif, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Helena Wilson, Angus Wright and Kit Young.

Also revealed today is the news that Phyllida Lloyd's screen versions of her all-female Shakespeare Trilogy will be made available free on BBC iPlayer later this year.