ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen) adds James Corden, Daniel Kaluuya, Milly Alcock and more for London return

The next performers to take on ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen) have been revealed.

Written by Nassim Soleimanpour, the piece features an unrehearsed actor taking to the stage with no idea what’s going to happen next. Previous performers have included Sheila Atim, Monica Dolan, Jessica Gunning, Jeremy O Harris, Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed, Mawaan Rizwan, Jodie Whittaker and Benedict Wong.

Adventuring across time and space, guided by Nassim from his flat in Berlin, the performer and audience embark on a global journey of belonging, connection, and the meaning of home. It is directed by Omar Elerian.

Our reviewer said: “It’s beautiful, funny, confusing and penetrating in equal measure, and while this kind of high concept theatre often threatens to become gimmicky, Soleimanpour’s work still surprises every time.”

Returning to the Royal Court from 27 June to 5 July 2025, the line-up has now been revealed.

It’ll see Reece Shearsmith taking on the role first, followed by Daniel Kaluuya (28 June), James Corden (30 June), Dominic West (1 July), Lolly Adefope (2 July), Nish Kumar (3 July matinee), Milly Alcock (3 July evening), Mel Giedroyc (4 July), Simon McBurney (5 July matinee), and Juliet Stevenson (5 July evening) with a final guest performer to be announced.

The creative team includes creative technologist, video and production designer Derek Richards, lighting designer Jackie Shemesh, composer and sound designer Anna Clock, dramaturgy by Kirsty Housley, dramaturgy and creative producer Immanuel Bartz, script editor Stewart Pringle, and casting by Amy Ball and Arthur Carrington.

It was revealed as part of the Royal Court’s 2025 season.

Royal Court Theatre and Nassim Soleimanpour Productions have also revealed an international tour of ECHO after its return to the Royal Court.

It is an NSP production, co-produced by LIFT (London) / The Royal Court Theatre (London), Staatstheater Mainz, Riksteatern (Sweden), Why Not Theatre (Toronto), Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles (Brussels) / Le Lieu Unique, scène nationale de Nantes, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Canberra Theatre Centre / Malthouse Theatre (Melbourne), and in association with The Shed (New York City), a LIFT Concept Touring Commission.