Steven Berkoff to star in Dinner With Saddam

Casting has been announced for the premiere of Anthony Horowitz's play Dinner with Saddam, which opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory in September.

Steven Berkoff will lead the cast as Saddam Hussein. Berkoff's screen work includes War and Remembrance and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with his recent stage credits including An Actor’s Lament.

Shobu Kapoor will join Berkoff, returning to the stage after a five year absence. She is best known for her role as Mrs Khan in the BBC sitcom Citizen Khan, and Gita on EastEnders.

As previously announced, the cast will be completed by Sanjeev Bhaskar (Spamalot), Nathan Amzi (In the Heights), Ilan Goodman (Bad Jews) and Rebecca Grant (Seminar).

According to press material:

So what happens when Saddam Hussein turns up on your doorstep and announces he is staying for dinner? Political and personal issues are top of the menu, but behind the kitchen door something else far more sinister is cooking…

Anthony Horowitz is the author of over 40 books including the bestselling Alex Rider series, recent Sherlock Holmes novels The House of Silk and Moriarty and the forthcoming James Bond novel Trigger Mortis. His previous theatre works include Mindgame.

Directed by Lindsay Posner, the production will have design by Tim Shortall, lighting by Howard Harrison, sound by Gregory Clarke and music by Matthew Scott.

Dinner with Saddam runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 22 September to 14 November. For more information and to book tickets, click here.