Casting announced for Mrs Orwell at the Old Red Lion
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Cressida Bonas will star in Jimmy Walters' production of Mrs Orwell, which gets its world premiere at the Old Red Lion later this year.
Based on real events, Tony Cox's play is about the latter stages of author George Orwell's life. He believes he has three novels left in him, so to keep his morale up, he proposes to his friend, 30-year old assistant magazine editor Sonia Brownell.
Bonas, who is known for her roles in ITV's Doctor Thorne and Gatsby at the Leicester Square Theatre, will play Brownell.
The cast also includes Peter Hamilton Dyer (Twelfth Night), Rosie Ede (1984), Edmund Digby Jones (The Crown) and Robert Stocks (Get Santa).
On directing Mrs Orwell, Walters said: "Orwell couldn't be more relevant today and we will give the audience a glance into the private life of one of the most public figures of his generation.
"Tony's writing dances between hilarity and poignancy and is by far the best script I've read in recent years."
The production will have designs by Rebecca Brewer, lighting by Simon Gethin Thomas and a score by Jeremy Warmsley.
Mrs Orwell will run at the Old Red Lion from 4 to 26 August with previews from 1 August.
