Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad stage adaptation to star Amelia Bullmore

Amelia Bullmore will return to the stage to play Penelope in a new production of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad at York Theatre Royal this autumn.

Directed by the venue’s creative director Juliet Forster, the production will run from 10 to the newly extended date of 31 October 2026, with a press night scheduled for 14 October.

Speaking about the production, Bullmore said: “I’m thrilled I’m going to be working at York Theatre Royal – such a beautiful theatre – on this fantastic play. The Penelopiad manages to be funny, dark, moving and provocative by turns. And it’s Margaret Atwood so the writing is uniquely brilliant. I think audiences will love how playful it is and how directly it connects with them.”

Forster added: “It is wonderful to have Amelia on board to lead the cast for The Penelopiad. Penelope is such a fascinating and complex character in Margaret Atwood’s retelling and I know Amelia will do her justice! I can’t wait to work with her to bring this compelling story to the stage for York audiences.”

The Penelopiad was first staged at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2007 as a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and Canada’s National Arts Centre. York Theatre Royal describes the new staging as the first major UK revival of the play since that premiere production.

The creative team includes director Juliet Forster and casting director Ellie Collyer-Bristow. Further casting is to be announced.