Jude Law returns to the stage with Ivo van Hove

Jude Law will return to the stage to star in the world premiere of a new play directed by Ivo van Hove.

Law will star in Obsession, an adaptation of Luchino Visconti's film, as Gino, a man working in a roadside restaurant and petrol station. When he meets Giovanna, together they embark on an affair, whilst plotting to kill her husband.

Visconti's 1943 film was based on James M Cain's novel The Postman Always Rings Twice. Obsession will be van Hove's fourth Visconti production.

The piece will bring together members of van Hove's company Toneelgroep Amsterdam with British actors, led by Law.

Law said: "I saw A View from the Bridge and then Antigone and I knew [van Hove] was someone I really wanted to work with. I can't wait to return to the Barbican, where I performed 22 years ago with the RSC."

Van Hove and the Toneelgroep Amsterdam will have a residency at the Barbican in 2017, performing four plays in total. As well as Obsession, there will be a return of Roman Tragedies in March 2017, then later in the year there will be a double bill After the Rehearsal/Persona, based on the films of Ingmar Bergman.

Van Hove said: "It's very exciting to bring British actors and specifically Jude Law together with actors from our Toneelgroep Amsterdam ensemble for the first time…I am looking forward to staging at the Barbican, a venue I consider to be our London home."

The dates for the residency are Roman Tragedies 17 to 19 March 2017, Obsession 19 April to 20 May 2017, After the Rehearsal/Persona 27 to 30 September 2017.