Cast announced for The Unseen’s UK premiere at Riverside Studios

Riverside Studios has announced the cast for the UK premiere of The Unseen, a play by Craig Wright, running from 15 November to 14 December 2024.

Directed by Iya Patarkatsishvili, the piece was originally staged at the Humana Festival in 2007 and later at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre. The story follows Wallace and Valdez, two prisoners communicating through the walls of their cells, as they form a bond and struggle to maintain hope under a totalitarian regime.

Starring will be BAFTA Cymru Award-winner Richard Harrington (Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, Home, I’m Darling) as Wallace, alongside Waj Ali (Carnival Row, King Lear) as Valdez, and Ross Tomlinson (Allelujah!, This Is Going to Hurt) as Smash, a prison guard.

A series of post-performance discussions will accompany the production, featuring guest speakers exploring the play’s themes of power, cruelty, and human rights, with support from the Russian Democratic Society.

In addition, Riverside Studios will host the UK premiere of Faces of Russian Resistance, an international exhibition highlighting the stories of Russian citizens who opposed the Putin regime and faced imprisonment.

The Unseen is directed by Patarkatsishvili with set and costume design by Simon Kenny, lighting design by Anna Watson, and sound design by Mike Walker. Danny Short serves as the composer and executive producer, with James Robert Moore as associate director. Peter Huntley and Callum Runciman of Smart Entertainment serve as executive producers and general managers. The casting director is Chloe Blake.

Tickets are on sale now.